Celebrating International Women’s Day with Cycle Sisters founder Sarah Javaid

8 March marks International Women’s Day, the annual global celebration to highlight women’s achievements and raise awareness of issues faced by women around the world. In honour of this year’s event, we spoke to Sarah Javaid, founder of women’s cycling group Cycle Sisters, to learn more about this fantastic organisation.

What inspired you to start Cycle Sisters?

It really came out of my experience as an adult trying to get into cycling and just finding it quite challenging. Also, not really feeling that there were any groups where I might fit in. At the time, there were just the traditional road cycling clubs and I looked at that and thought, definitely not for me.

It was a cycle lesson that got me started and going through that whole journey, and having conversations with friends and family, made me realise that I wasn’t alone.

We just very informally started going out and it just took off from word of mouth. People started hearing about the fact that a group of Muslim women were meeting up every week and more and more people started coming.

How did your own relationship with cycling shape the early vision for Cycle Sisters?

I really identify with all the women who are coming and starting to ride through us. We’re a completely women-led organisation and we’ve all been through our own journeys of trying to get ourselves cycling, so we really understand all the things that might hold you back.

What makes organisations like Cycle Sisters such a vital part of the community?

It’s not that people don’t want to cycle – it’s just that the right kind of opportunities haven’t been there. When you often hear people talking about ‘hard to reach’, that’s something we really don’t agree with at all, because people are not hard to reach. It’s about how people are being reached or who’s creating those opportunities.

At Cycle Sisters we consider very simple things like creating a women-only space, thinking about timings, working around childcare and prayer times, and having role models as ride leaders. Those things come together to create a space where people feel they can come, be comfortable, and that they’re not going to be judged.

How important is representation in encouraging more women from diverse backgrounds to cycle?

When I looked at who was cycling in my local area, I was quite put off because I didn’t see people wearing day-to-day clothes or longer, looser clothes. Whereas now, because of what Cycle Sisters and other groups have been doing, you see loads of Muslim women on bikes and people from all backgrounds wearing whatever they want.

That visibility and representation helps people feel inspired and get that confidence that it’s something they can also do.

Have you noticed any shifts in attitudes or confidence among women riders since Cycle Sisters began?

The demand – we can’t keep up with it! Even in the worst winter weather, we still get people coming out for rides and cycle lessons because they really, really want to learn. It’s about being open-minded and understanding people’s experiences and what’s needed.

What do you find most rewarding about Cycle Sisters?

The most rewarding thing is seeing people’s journeys and how far they come. People start out very nervous, and then they progress, becoming regulars, then becoming ride leaders, training as volunteers, and supporting other women. There are so many stories of people who would never really see themselves in any sort of leadership role, being able to get that confidence.

Have you got a favourite cycling memory or experience?

When I first started as an instructor in 2018, the first two people I ever taught were 16-year-old twins. One of them has stayed involved with Cycle Sisters ever since – she became part of our road cycling club and now she’s about to train as a ride leader.

There’s also a lady in her early 60s who never learned to ride. Now I see her at the park every single week with her daughter. She’s almost there. It’s so nice to see her daughter being the one to help her.

Do you have any tips for women who are new to cycling or who feel cycling ‘isn’t for them’?

Definitely doing a cycle lesson – that really does make a difference. And requesting a female instructor if that’s what you prefer. Look out in your local area to see whether there’s any women’s cycle groups you can join, as there are definitely a lot more out there now.

If not, you can start how I started – finding friends or family members who want to cycle. It really helps with confidence when you’re with somebody else.

For a lot of Muslim women, some of the fears are around experiences of racism and Islamophobia in public spaces, going out on a bike can feel quite vulnerable. But if you can do it in a group, it really helps you build that confidence.

Who are the women who have inspired you on your cycling journey?

The people who inspire me are the women who come to our groups – particularly the women who learn to ride as adults, it takes a lot to do that. Some people really don’t think they can do it and have a lot of self doubt, and then sometimes they learn really quickly – even within 10 or 15 minutes! To see what that does for somebody is amazing.

Are there any upcoming projects or events that you’d like to share?

We are expanding now. The first 10 years have been within London and we’re now across nine London boroughs. We’re going to be starting with a couple of new groups this year and then expanding further.

We’d also love to connect with instructors from a Muslim background or who’ve worked with Muslim communities in other parts of the UK. Please email us at salam@cyclesisters.org.uk if you’d like to find out more.

How can people get involved in Cycle Sisters?

If you’re based within London, go to the website – each group has details of how you can join rides and book cycle lessons.

For people outside London, we’re doing a call-out for community organisations who want to work with us to set up new groups. You can also follow us on our social media channels!

Follow Cycle Sisters on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

About Cycle Sisters

Founded by Sarah Javaid in 2016, Cycle Sisters is an award-winning charity that creates accessible and empowering spaces for Muslim and ethnically diverse women to cycle and become more healthy, confident and connected.

Volunteer-led cycle groups offer inclusive opportunities to cycle, while partnership work with local and national cycling organisations helps to tackle stereotypes and make cycling more accessible and diverse. Cycle Sisters is also a Bikeability training provider!

Reward an inspiring woman with a brand new bike this International Women’s Day

This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the inspiring women who encourage, support and motivate us every day — and giving you the chance to reward one of them with something truly special.

We’ve teamed up with Ridgeback and Lazer to give one inspiring woman the chance to win a brand new Ridgeback bike, a Lazer helmet, and FREE Bikeability cycle training to get them cycling with confidence.

Whether it’s a friend, family member, colleague or role model, this is your chance to recognise someone who deserves to experience the confidence, freedom and joy that cycling can bring.

Enter now by nominating an inspiring woman by commenting on our entry posts. Check out our Facebook, Instagram, and X channels for more info.

Entries close at midnight on Sunday 8 March 2026 (International Women’s Day). Terms and conditions apply.