Over 160 Women Started Cycling for Transport and They're not Looking Back

When Cycle Sisters teamed up with Muslim Aid for this year’s Switch Your Journey challenge, the aim was simple – encourage women to replace their everyday trips by car or public transport with cycling.

The outcome was remarkable. Over the two-week challenge, more than 550 trips were switched to cycling and logged on the Love to Ride platform. Every single woman who completed our post-challenge survey said their confidence to cycle for transport has increased and they plan to keep cycling for their everyday journeys.

Thanks to our partnerships with Brompton Bike Hire and Santander Cycles, participants were able to access bikes for free to use during the challenge. They were also supported with free webinars on topics such as route planning with Komoot and buying a bike with Sham Vesamia from A & S Cycles.

We also ran two fun photo challenges with prizes kindly donated by Muc-Off. Hamida was one of the "Top Tips" challenge winners for her clever hack of cycling in an abaya (long Islamic dress) using a hairband to secure it at the bottom. The "Share the Switch" challenge highlighted those inspiring others, like Najiya, who got her dad back on a bike for the first time in 20 years to cycle with her to the butchers.

The stories behind the results show why this challenge had such a lasting impact. For some the challenge has transformed the way they get around: 

“Honestly, the scheme has changed my life. I borrowed bikes from Waltham Forest Council, Brompton Bike Hire and Santander Cycles. I would never have done so previously as I was too dependent on a car.” – Participant

For Maria, taking part gave her an opportunity to overcome her fears:

“I cycled from London Bridge rail station to my work in the Docklands via cycle highway, something I thought I’d never do. I was very scared with the traffic but Alhamdullilah (thank God), by Allah’s grace and doing plenty of dhikr (remembering Allah), I felt calm and after that first journey felt empowered. I’ve since continued switching my journeys and have been motivated to try different routes. I feel free – Alhamdullilah.”

For others, it brought fun to everyday routines like the school run:

“Cycling with my kids to school made mornings less stressful and more enjoyable. We laughed, we got fresh air, and we avoided traffic!” – Participant

Winner of the Most Inspiring Story Prize

Choosing the prize winner was no easy task – every nomination shared an incredible journey, and we’re grateful to everyone who shared their stories and took part.

The winner of this year’s “Most Inspiring Story” prize of a Brompton bike achieved something extraordinary during the challenge. Starting out with her old, basic bike, Anusha refused to let any barriers hold her back. Going from cycling zero journeys for transport, over the course of the two week challenge, she successfully switched her trips to cycling every single day, something she had never imagined possible.

Her reflections capture why her story stood out:

“What does it take to begin to be a cyclist? I can’t pay for fancy cycling gear; I can’t pay for the fancy cycling gadgets. I have my basic bike (it cost less than £130 in Halfords!) and pedalling power in my legs. I am a cyclist!"

Her switched journeys included running errands, going to the GP surgery, the bookshop and heading to activities like Parkrun, showing that determination matters more than having the perfect gear. By wholeheartedly embracing the challenge, she proved that confidence grows when you take action before you feel ready.

Anusha

"Taking part in Switch Your Journey made all the difference for me. A wise friend of mine once said ‘If you want something you have never had, you must be willing to do something you have never done’. I have never ridden 14 days consecutively. I couldn’t even imagine that I could do all my transport journeys on my humble, basic bike amounting to 100s of miles.”

Her passion didn’t just change her own life, it also inspired those around her. Friends who once relied on their cars signed up to learn how to cycle after hearing her story. Her friend Sohni plans to commute to work by bike now once she learns to ride. She’s already taken two lessons! 

Winning the Brompton bike will give Anusha the opportunity to keep strengthening the habits she built during Switch Your Journey.

“Winning the Brompton bike means so much more to me than just receiving a prize. It’s a new chapter of exploration, freedom and independence. The Brompton will be my companion for so many adventures. I am truly grateful!” 

Congratulations to everyone who took part and we hope to see you continuing to switch your every day journeys to cycling!

Thank you to Brompton for the amazing prize of a bike and to Muslim Aid for sponsoring the challenge.

Thank you to our partners – Brompton Bike Hire, Santander Cycles, Komoot, Love to Ride, and Muc-Off – for helping make this challenge, and these incredible transformations, possible.