Introducing: Aneela McKenna
- Aneela McKenna
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Welcome to CCC Introduces, our series welcoming our new contributors to Cycling Culture Club. Today, we sit down with Aneela McKenna, a diversity advocate, mountain biker and force of nature, driving change throughout her personal and professional life.
Words: Aneela McKenna
Photos: Aneela McKenna
Socials: @aneela_mckenna
Tell us about yourself.
I’m Aneela, and for years, I've been a dedicated advocate for inclusion in cycling. I run my own professional consultancy, Mòr Diversity, where I work with brands and organisations to foster inclusion across sport, cycling, and the outdoors. This mission is personal, driven by the commitment to break down barriers and open up the outdoors to everyone.
What do you love about cycling?
It's the sheer freedom of movement that comes with every single pedal stroke. That, and the incredible people I get to surround myself with and those who love riding their bikes just as much as I do.
What barriers have you faced in cycling?
For me, the more important question is 'how can we work together to find collective solutions to address the systemic barriers to cycling?' Not just for participation, but for leadership and for accessing the immense health and wellbeing benefits that cycling offers. Not everyone has the same life chances or opportunities to experience the love of cycling, so we must ask 'what can our industry collectively do about addressing the barriers to cycling?'
Why were you interested in contributing?
I feel deeply passionate about connecting bikes with social impact. The benefits that cycling can bring to our organisations, our communities, and individuals are immense. Cycling truly has the power to change lives, and I want that message to be heard far and wide.
If you’re comfortable, tell us about your personal experience of diversity in cycling.
Cycling wasn’t even on my radar as a kid—it was a backie on my big brother’s Chopper, and that’s as far as it went. I was a girl and was not meant to ride bikes and enjoy the dirt. I didn't truly find the love of cycling until my 20s when someone asked me to go for a mountain bike ride as a first date (who is now my husband of nearly 25 years!). The initial experience was terrifying, but something kept drawing me back. My love for it bloomed when I eventually found a community of women to ride with. Sharing my knowledge and love of the outdoors with them ultimately became my job as a guide, coach, and mountain bike tutor. These last ten years, what brings me the most joy is seeing others get excited by cycling, even more than my own riding.
Your fondest memory on the bike.
Funnily enough, the memories that last the longest are the ones where I was in jeopardy up a mountain—in the rain, lost in the clouds, or navigating tough conditions.
One of my most vivid early memories was cycling up Ben A' Bhuird, one of Scotland's highest Munros (currently ranked 8th highest). The summit had completely vanished into the mist. I was disoriented, confused, and started to panic. My experienced partner, knowing exactly how to respond, found my whole meltdown highly entertaining and decided to snap a photo of me there and then with full-blown tears of fear, not knowing how I would ever get off that hill.
These challenging experiences along my cycling journey have absolutely shaped me into the person I am today. Now, equipped with more experience and knowledge, I am so grateful to still access the raw beauty of the mountains, and I'm much less likely to cry at the top!
Where are you from?
Glasgow, Scotland.
Where do you live?
Tweed Valley, Scotland.
Are you part of a club/team?
I am not part of a traditional club, but I am proud to have co-founded the FNY Collective, MissAdventures, and The Colour Collective. These are all voluntary groups united by one simple mission to give more people the opportunity to get out riding and be happy on their bikes.
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