A FORMER PE teacher has been named alongside a host of top women cyclists for inspiring other to get on their bikes.

Off-road triathlete and European champion Renell Brennan, from Ulverston, is among those named in Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling.

The former Walney School teacher currently represents Great Britain in off-road triathlon and is the European champion in her age category.

In addition to her successful racing career, she has cycled across Malawi and during her years at the school she took groups of girls and boys on cycling trips to inspire and give them confidence.

She joins TV presenter and personality Gail Porter, four-time Olympic gold medal winner Laura Kenny and Olympic gold-medallist Nicole Cooke in the cycling charity’s list recognising significant achievements in promoting women’s cycling.

They have all been recognised in celebration of the work they have done to inspire other women to get on their bikes as part of the national cycling charity’s Women’s Festival of Cycling which runs until the end of July.

“My goal is to inspire others of all abilities to find a passion for biking and to help them achieve the best they can be,” the Furness cyclist said.

Although the number of women cycling has increased during lockdown, men are still cycling nearly twice as much as women, according to figures.

The Women’s Festival of Cycling aims to address that imbalance by inspiring more women to get in the saddle.

Other well-known names who have made the list include Paralympian Hannah Dines; Isabeau Courdurier, the youngest women to have won the Enduro World Series; Lizzie Deignan, Olympic medallist and 2015 World Road Race Champion; and cycle touring author Bettina Selby.

The list also includes less well-known names who have been working tirelessly at grassroots level to encourage more women to ride.

Helen Cook, Cycling UK’s head of engagement, said: “With the surge in interest in cycling over the past few months we want to make sure women continue to get on their bikes and more women join them.

A nomination to add Renell’s name to the list said: “Ren inspires women to get on a bike from complete beginners to getting them jumping in the trails.”