Dr Janet Atherton, OBE

By Cycling UK
Thursday, 24 April 2025
A group of women are sitting around a picnic table at a cafe. There's a selection of drinks and snacks in front of them. They're wearing cycling kit and their bikes can be seen leaning against a fence in the background. They are smiling at the camera.
Janet (at the back in purple) enjoys a café stop with cycling group Bicycle Belles
We are sad to share the sad news that Janet Atherton, our former Chair of Trustees, passed away at the end of March

Janet re-discovered her love of cycling as an adult and became a powerful advocate for the fun and the health benefits of cycling. In addition to her senior roles in public health, in the North-West and nationally, Janet was a fantastic champion for cycling and a great supporter of her own Chester and North Wales cycling group.

As Chair of Trustees, Janet oversaw improvements and growth of the charity over recent years. She also led the development of our new strategy, recognising and championing the joy of cycling which unites the whole organisation and our supporters.

We will all miss her tireless support, her thoughtful contributions and her irrepressible sense of humour.

Paul Baker, Cycling UK Vice-Chair, commented: “I worked with Janet as Vice-Chair and when she became ill I stepped in as Acting Chair. Janet was always hugely supportive and always thinking of the best interests of Cycling UK.

“Her passion for cycling, her vision and her understanding of the many benefits of cycling made her an excellent and inspiring leader of our charity. I and all the trustees will miss her.”

There will be a memorial service for Janet, celebrating her life, dedicated to the service of others. It will be held at Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight, Wirral. Monday 2 June 2025 at 11.30am.