Meet our members: Nadia Kerr, Cycling UK trustee

By Jennifer Young
A woman is standing next to a metal fence with one hand on the top. She is wearing a bright, stripy cycling jersey and black cycling shorts. She has on a cycling helmet and gloves and has sunglasses tucked in her jersey. In the background is a mountain road with two cyclists on it. She's smiling at the camera
Cycling UK trustee Nadia Kerr cycling in the Verdon Gorge, France
Cycling has been a constant in Cycling UK trustee Nadia Kerr’s life. She spoke to Jennifer Young about her role with the charity and its new strategy

With cycling being central to Nadia Kerr’s working life and free time, it’s fair to say she has found the ideal position as a recently appointed trustee of Cycling UK, where she says she can make a real difference.

“I take a great deal of satisfaction from working for and on behalf of those who ride bikes. Getting involved with the aims, objectives and purpose of the charity means that I can help make a difference as part of a fantastic team of influential and inspirational people.”

Nadia’s highlight so far has been representing Cycling UK on the BBC Breakfast red sofa to comment on a topic close to her heart: the risks to cyclists of potholes and defective road surfaces. She spoke about the tragic death of Cycling UK member Harry Colledge, who died after his bicycle hit a pothole that the local council had failed to fix.

“This was meaningful for me as I work alongside other campaigners to highlight the particular danger of potholes and road defects,” she says. “And in my day job as a solicitor in Manchester, I represent cyclists in compensation claims arising from collisions and incidents on the road.”

Nadia’s cycling journey started early. Like many people, she has fond childhood memories of riding her bike with friends for hours on end, but this developed into riding with her father and brother as members of their local Cycling UK (then CTC) group.

She is now well embedded in the cycling community as chair of a women’s cycling group and a campaigner for road safety and active travel infrastructure. While she loves riding on and off road, and has undertaken audax events and ultra-endurance bikepacking trips, Nadia particularly enjoys the everyday aspects of cycling.

“I love the freedom, the independence, the simplicity and the reminder of childhood fun. Cycling allows me to have space to think and to plan – quiet time, time without distraction. I just need to turn the pedals.”

Part of the journey

Since early 2023, Nadia has been part of Cycling UK’s journey, bringing her skills and experience to the charity as a trustee. She was motivated to join when she learned that the charity was in the early stages of discussing its new organisational strategy, which was launched in April 2024.

“Being part of a team devising and then ensuring the delivery of the new strategy has been great. It means taking time to discuss, challenge, input, advise and ultimately decide on a new direction for the charity. There are very exciting opportunities and times ahead for Cycling UK.”

For any members considering becoming a trustee of Cycling UK, Nadia has words of encouragement. “Go for it, you won’t regret it,” she says. “There is a real joy in ‘giving back’, and you don’t need lots of time to help the charity. If you have some spare time and you want to make the world better by bike, then being a Cycling UK trustee might be just the thing for you.”

There are, of course, other ways to become more involved with Cycling UK. “Members can make a contribution in many ways: by taking part in the AGM or voting in elections, for example.

“Or you can support the work of the charity by becoming a volunteer or an advocate, or by supporting campaigns. The charity also hugely benefits from donations and legacies to help in the work that we do.”

Meet our members Cycle Magazine

Become a Cycling UK trustee

Cycling UK’s trustees have a vitally important role in making sure the charity is being properly run”, explains Phil Hall, Cycling UK’s chief operating officer. “The chief executive has responsibility for the day-to-day running of the organisation, and the trustees are there to provide strategic leadership and ensure that everything Cycling UK does is for public benefit.

“At Cycling UK we are very fortunate to have trustees like Nadia who are knowledgeable and passionate about cycling, and who are keen to make a real difference for everyone who cycles in the UK. With the new strategy being shaped by the expertise and enthusiasm of our trustees, as well as vital input from our members, we are confident that it will fully realise the many environmental, health and wellbeing benefits of cycling.

“Over the years we have had trustees from a huge variety of backgrounds. If you’re interested in becoming a trustee, what we look for is a passion for cycling, alongside the skills, knowledge and experience to further the strategic aims and objectives of the charity.”

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