Women and Girls in Cycling: Why It Matters

When we talk about cycling heroes, it’s easy to picture the peloton at the Tour de France or dramatic sprints on the track. But look a little closer and you’ll see that many of the sport’s most powerful stories come from British women who have quietly - and sometimes loudly - reshaped what’s possible on two wheels.

From record-breaking time trials in the 1960s to Olympic glory in front of packed velodromes, these riders have done more than win medals. They’ve challenged stereotypes, inspired the next generation and pushed for a fairer future in sport.

British women cyclists

The UK has produced some of the world’s most successful female cyclists. Here are four inspirational British women whose achievements on the bike continue to make a difference far beyond the finish line:

• Dame Laura Kenny
• Lizzie Deignan
• Beryl Burton
• Nicole Cooke

Their achievements on the track and road have not only filled trophy cabinets, but also inspired thousands of women and girls to get on a bike. By challenging stereotypes and pushing for greater equality in the sport, they’ve helped ensure that cycling feels more welcoming, visible and achievable for the next generation.

Dame Laura Kenny

Dame Laura Kenny is one of Britain’s most decorated Olympians, and for many people in the UK, she’s the face of modern track cycling. Known for her explosive power, sharp race craft and sheer determination, she has won multiple Olympic and World Championship titles across events such as the omnium, team pursuit and madison.

But Laura’s impact stretches beyond the medal table. She has become a relatable role model - someone who talks openly about balancing elite sport with family life, and the physical and emotional demands that come with it. For young girls watching the Olympics, seeing a woman dominate on the track, then speak with warmth and humility afterwards, sends a powerful message: you can be world-class and still be yourself.

Lizzie Deignan

On the road, Lizzie Deignan has long been one of Britain’s standout talents. A former World Champion, winner of the Women’s Tour and multiple major one-day races, she has shown time and again that she thrives when the pressure is on. Her attacking style and tactical intelligence make her one of the most respected riders in the peloton.

What makes Lizzie particularly inspirational is how she has spoken up about the realities of being a woman in professional sport. She has been vocal about fairer pay, better race coverage and more opportunities for women’s racing. After becoming a mother, she returned to the top level of the sport, winning major races again and proving that parenthood does not have to mean the end of an elite career.

Beryl Burton

Long before TV cameras and social media, Beryl Burton was quietly rewriting what was thought possible on a bike. Dominating British time trialling in the 1960s and 70s, she racked up an extraordinary number of national titles and set records that stood for years.

One of her most famous achievements was riding a 12-hour distance that actually beat the men’s record at the time - a staggering statement about her strength and resilience. Beryl juggled work and family life alongside her racing, often training and competing with minimal support. Her story reminds us that many of the foundations of women’s cycling were built by riders who simply refused to accept limits.

Nicole Cooke

Nicole Cooke’s career is defined by historic “firsts”. She became Olympic Road Race Champion and World Road Race Champion in the same year - a unique double that cemented her place in cycling history. Her victories inspired a generation of British riders and raised the profile of women’s road racing at home.

Off the bike, Nicole has been equally influential. She has spoken candidly about inequality, doping and the structural challenges facing women in cycling. By using her platform to highlight these issues, she helped push the conversation forward and encouraged governing bodies, teams and sponsors to take women’s cycling more seriously.

Women in cycling

Together, Dame Laura Kenny, Lizzie Deignan, Beryl Burton and Nicole Cooke show the many faces of success in cycling: speed, endurance, resilience, advocacy and courage. Their stories help girls see themselves not just as spectators, but as riders, racers, leaders and change-makers.

Every time a young girl clips into her pedals or wobbles down a park path on her first bike, she’s following in the tyre tracks of these pioneers - and perhaps beginning her own story on two wheels.