Bicycle Mayor Network

Global initiative

A Bicycle Mayor is a volunteer cycling advocate selected by BYCS to help shape a more sustainable, healthy, and accessible future in their city. Bicycle Mayors operate at the intersection of civil society, municipal governance, and global mobility advocacy.

As part of the global Bicycle Mayor Network, they work locally to strengthen community engagement and promote behavioural and cultural change around mobility. Each Bicycle Mayor adapts their work to the realities of their city, meaning their role may differ depending on the local social, political, and infrastructural context. Through BYCS, these local efforts are connected globally, allowing Bicycle Mayors to exchange knowledge, share best practices, support one another, and amplify the visibility and legitimacy of cycling advocacy worldwide.

The Bicycle Mayor is much more than a symbolic title; it serves as a form of civic recognition that empowers local advocates to become visible and institutionally legible actors in urban transformation processes.

Learn More Help Find a Bicycle Mayor in Your City Become a Bicycle Mayor

Network Map

This map was created with a 3rd party application, and as such BYCS does not have full control of the appearance of global borders. As an organisation we support the self-determination and land rights of Indigenous peoples worldwide, who existed long before “the West” scorched lines on the earth.

What does the network do?

Keeps the issues front-and-center and moving forward through global and regional calls-to-action

Promotes the bicycle as a solution to some of the most complex urban challenges

Aligns the network (and its cause) to other movements and organizations that are also working to create more liveable cities

What does a Bicycle Mayor do?

Sindile Mavundla, Bicycle Mayor of Cape Town, leads the Active Mobility Forum coalition, comprised of enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about Cape Town a more liveable city for all demographics and vulnerable populations.

The Bicycle Mayor of Bath, Saskia Heijltjes, organised a Kiddical Mass event with over 100 participants, that aimed to inspire its participants, while simultaneously advocating for road safety for children.

Hyderabad’s Bicycle Mayor, Santhana Selvan, organised the first ever BicycleBus in India for children ride to school as a group, creating a safe environment and shared joyful experience of active mobility.

See more of the action and impact that Bicycle Mayors and the Bicycle Mayor Network have here:

NETWORK IMPACT

How does the network support Bicycle Mayors?

Promote the work of Bicycle Mayors through a monthly organisation newsletter, social media, and events

Facilitate Collaboration through online platforms, network-wide calls, a network newsletter, and working Groups

Provide Resources through a resource hub, workshops and trainings, and access to events

Offer Direct Support through regular one-on-one check-ins and making our staff available for questions

Network History

2016 – Elected first Bicycle Mayor in Amsterdam, Anne Luten

2018 – Elected first Junior Bicycle Mayor, Lotta Crok

2020 – Reached 100 Bicycle Mayors

2021 – BYCS India Foundation established

Youth Bicycle Mayor

The Youth Bicycle Mayor’s role is to offer a teenager’s perspective and imagination to the realm of cycling activation, with the goal of making cities fit for all ages. They work alongside the senior Bicycle Mayor of their city to create tangible impact. Currently, there are 5 Youth Bicycle Mayors, who represent cities in the Netherlands, India, and Ireland.

The idea for the Youth Bicycle Mayor originated as part of the election campaign of Amsterdam’s Bicycle Mayor, Katelijne Boerma, who focused on making cycling safe for all children. She helped find students in local schools to lead cycling progress. These students were involved in design competitions and co-creation workshops to develop new solutions for cycling access, leading to the selection of one student as the Youth Bicycle Mayor.

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