A London-based cycling club has been hailed for its groundbreaking work in changing how the sport is perceived and enjoyed within the Muslim community.

Gapped Cycling received the Community Impact of the Year award at the 2025 British Cycling Awards, recognizing its success in creating a welcoming, inclusive space for Muslim cyclists of all ages and skill levels.

“It’s fantastic for the club to be recognised,” said founder Junaid Ibrahim, Impartial Reporter reported.

“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.”

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He added, “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 celebrate clubs and individuals who make outstanding contributions to the sport across the UK. The Community Impact of the Year category honors organizations that promote inclusivity, community engagement, and accessibility in cycling.

Inspiring New Generation

For Ibrahim, the recognition marks both a milestone and a starting point. He hopes the club’s success will continue to inspire a new wave of Muslim participation in cycling.

Last year, he launched Gapped Race Team, the UK’s first Muslim cycling race team — a major step toward building representation and breaking down barriers in competitive sport.

“There weren’t many people cycling from Muslim backgrounds 10 years ago,” said Ibrahim, 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.”

The name “Gapped” reflects both that mission and the progress made.

Once considered an unlikely pastime in some Muslim communities, mosques, schools, and families now embrace cycling thanks in large part to outreach by Gapped Cycling.

“There’s a stigma still attached to cycling but things are changing,” said Ibrahim. “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.”

The club runs cycling programs in London schools, community clubs for local councils, and organized races for riders of all abilities.

“I felt the potential there,” Ibrahim said. “So 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?”