Meet Bristol’s ‘bicycle mayor’

From touring around the globe on two wheels to establishing a cargo bike cooperative, cycling is a way of life for Leah DeHaan.

As Bristol’s first ‘bicycle mayor’, the 31-year-old is embarking on a mission to ensure everyone’s voice is heard as she seeks to inspire more people in the city to take journeys by bike and tackle existing barriers.

“I wanted to show anything is possible – that you can be a bike courier and have a voice,” says Leah on applying for the voluntary role.

A bicycle courier by trade, Leah is part of an international Bicycle Mayor network that was established and is coordinated by the Dutch social enterprise BYCS.

She meets up with Bristol24/7’s News Editor for a coffee and ride along the Bristol to Bath Railway Path.

Stopping first at Bakehouse on Kingsland Trading Estate – just a stone’s throw from the start of the railway path, Leah hops off the regular bike that she will soon swap for the spacious cargo cycle as she begins work for the day.

Leah DeHaan wants to ensure everyone has a voice when it comes to cycling in the city -photo Bristol Cycling Campaign

Having worked as a courier in the gig economy since moving to Bristol in 2019, Leah went on to establish Bristol Cycle Co-op, along with Nat Whittingham and Jonathan Dennis. It was during the height of the pandemic and the trio wanted to support businesses and local people while earning a living. Now employed by Zedify, they haven’t looked back.

Speaking about the journey that ultimately inspired her to become the city’s first ‘bicycle mayor’, Leah says: “I have been quite lucky, cycling has always been there for me. As a kid, it was fun, then after university, I moved to London and could not afford to get to work so I got a bike.”

Adventures by bike have taken her from Cardiff to Vienna, Land’s End to John O’Groats and many more destinations.

“I would put the panniers on and the camping stove and tent and work out where to go,” says Leah, who now lives in Fishponds. “I’ve got so many great stories of generosity along the way. It seemed very scary at first but shows anything is possible.”

It’s this ethos that inspired her to apply for the role of ‘bicycle mayor’ which was advertised by Bristol Cycling Campaign in February.

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Read more: Call-out for someone to become Bristol’s first bicycle mayor

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After securing the title in May, Leah said she aims for at least half of all city trips to be taken by bike by 2030.

“My role is about connecting people together,” the ‘bicycle mayor’ tells Bristol24/7. “There are so many great things happening in Bristol but people do not know about each other. It’s also about encouraging people to speak up about what they need – it’s when there’s a collective voice that changes start happening.”

Leah says infrastructure is a key issue in the city – photo by Ellie Pipe

Leah says infrastructure is a key issue, as is identifying what barriers people face to taking up cycling and helping to overcome these.

“I wonder about people who are really keen but have not taken that first step. I want to make cycling more accessible and that comes with respecting people’s abilities and place in life,” says Leah.

“It’s got to the stage where I think how can we work together to make space for everybody? There is a need for all types of vehicles on the road but how does infrastructure reflect that?”

Unlike in other UK cities including London and Manchester, which both have a walking & cycling commissioner, the role in Bristol is unpaid and independent from the city council.

Leah dedicates four to five hours a week to the voluntary role but believes it could easily be a full-time position. She says being part of a global community network of ‘mayors’ facing similar challenges and seeking solutions helps to accelerate positive change.

Asked what advice she would give to someone who would like to take up cycling but hasn’t taken the first step yet, Leah says: “It’s finding the support that’s right for you. If that’s watching a YouTube video to see others doing similar, playing some music whilst you teach yourself to fix a puncture, asking a friend that already cycles to go on a short ride together, finding a group of people looking for the same thing as you, or visiting an independent bike shop to talk about what type of bike you would like to ride.

“It can all start the journey of exploration of how incorporating bicycles in our lives can change things both personally and together as a society.”

Find out more and contact Leah through Bristol Cycling Campaign.

Main photo by Ellie Pipe

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