Gapped Cycling took home the Community Impact of the Year gong at the 2025 British Cycling Awards for its pioneering work in providing a welcoming, inclusive environment for Muslim cyclists of all ages and abilities to pursue the sport at whatever level they wish.
“It’s fantastic for the club to be recognised,” said founder Junaid Ibrahim. “There are a lot of people at the club who put in a lot of hard work and this is testament to what we’re doing. It’s a proud moment.
“I just want to say a huge thank you and I want everyone at the club to give themselves a pat on the back. Going out riding isn’t the easiest thing but just go out and keep doing what you do to help bring others along on the journey.”
The British Cycling Awards are an annual opportunity to recognise and reward the contributions of our members, volunteers, clubs, and riders.
The Community Impact of the Year award recognises clubs that have made a positive impact within their local communities or demonstrated support to make cycling more inclusive and accessible.
These clubs are recognised for their initiatives that support community engagement, promote inclusivity in cycling, and contribute to overall well-being.
For Ibrahim, Gapped Cycling’s recognition by the national governing body is only the beginning and he hopes to help drive the growth of the sport within Muslim communities across the UK to even further heights.
Last year, he launched Gapped Race Team, the UK’s first Muslim cycling race team.
“There weren’t many people cycling from Muslim backgrounds 10 years ago or so ago and that started it off,” added Ibrahim, who is also a British Cycling qualified coach.
“I wanted to create something that would help close that gap, whether that’s through clubs for adults and children, podcasts or training.
“I felt the club’s name was apt because the community was gapped. Across the board there seems to be an increase in cycling, especially in the Muslim community, and health outcomes have been particularly good.
“There’s a stigma still attached to cycling but things are changing and seeing communities and mosques which used to reject cycling and sport become spaces for those activities is incredible and that can only be a positive thing.
“We go into schools, teach cycling and run clubs for local authorities across London and of course there’s the racing.
“I felt the potential was there hence we went about creating a pathway for people to give it a go.
“Riding’s amazing, so why not spread that joy for everyone else?”
Could you develop your skills, meet new people and bring huge impact to your local community through volunteering? Get involved with British Cycling volunteering opportunities at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/volunteering
