Bicycle Mayor Network

Who is a Bicycle Mayor?

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 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.

Ali Cerrahoglu Bicycle Mayor of Tarsus, organises with his city’s cycling community the Cleopatra cycling festival. More than 2oo people attend every year to take part in rides and a rich program of social activities, exhibitions, and guided historical and cultural tours.

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 of Bicycle Mayors here:

NETWORK IMPACT

How does BYCS support Bicycle Mayors?

Amplify their work globally through a monthly newsletter, social media posts, connections and events

Facilitate Collaboration through online platforms, network-wide calls, a network newsletter, and communication channels

Stimulates policy translation, peer learning and coordinated actions across cities

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

Offer Direct Support through regular one-on-one check-ins and staff availability

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

2022– Reached 150 Bicycle Mayors across 45 countries

2024– Started Bicycle Mayor Youth (under 18)

2026– Started Bicycle Mayor Campaign with Erasmus +

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.

GET TO KNOW MORE