Ishbel Rose Holmes (World Bike Girl)

Ishbel Rose Holmes, aka “World Bike Girl,” is British-Iranian and a daredevil adventurer. In 2014, she set off to cycle the world and has so far pedalled across 16 countries in Europe and South America. She is currently on a 6,000 km adventure through the Amazon jungle. Ishbel cycles with a dog trailer that she uses to rescue animals as she pedals. Working together with her thousands of big-hearted and loyal followers, Ishbel makes sure that injured cats and dogs get the correct medical care, then she looks after them until they find a home.

Ishbel uses the bicycle as a platform to campaign for women’s rights, especially for those in Iran. Ishbel became one of the principal campaigners for the online hashtag campaign #IranianWomenLoveCycling after Iran’s Supreme Leader issued a religious ban on women cycling in public in 2016.

Before cycling the world, Ishbel was a velodrome sprinter for the Iranian National Women’s Team. Her racing pedigree in the UK includes her role as a Scottish Institute of Sport Athlete, Glasgow Life Athlete, and British Masters Track Champion. Before racing on velodromes, Ishbel spent many years road racing all over the UK.