In May, we announced the 18 people who would judge in this year’s BikeBiz awards.
To allow you to get to know the judges better, we’ve asked them all to give us insight into who they are, what they do and a little more about them.
This time, we hear from Kalyani Verma, our BikeBiz ‘Woman of the Year’ 2024. Defining her by role alone (as with many of our judges) would be an injustice. Engineer, mother, yogi, amongst many other things, here’s a little insight into her role and what she will be looking for as judge.
You’re on a call or you meet someone at an event, when introducing yourself (and having to sum up many years in a few words), you say?
Hi, I’m Kalyani, I’ve been working as an Engineer at Brompton Bicycle for a few years now, and I love the joy and freedom of moving on two wheels. I’m all about making cycling more inclusive and accessible, and am proud to have been awarded Bike Biz Woman of the Year 2024. All of this aligns beautifully with my love for yoga and wellbeing.
Everyone in this industry has a unique ‘origin story’ that set them on this path. What was that for you, and how did that initial spark evolve into the professional journey you found yourself on?
My journey in cycling began when I joined Brompton in 2022 as a Quality Engineer. At the time, I hadn’t ridden a bike in years, but during our onboarding, I tried a Brompton loan bike and was instantly hooked. That moment led me from cycling zero miles to completing 45-mile and 60-mile charity rides.
For me, cycling is a way of moving with joy. It became a passion that shaped how I connect with others. I now encourage people of all experience levels to give it a go, just like I did.
Given your role as a judge for the BikeBiz Awards, if you could pinpoint one innovation or trend within the cycling world over the past decade that you believe has been truly transformative, what would it be, and why does it stand out to you?
The rise of electric bikes and especially folding e-bikes has been truly transformative. They’ve made cycling more accessible and not just for commuters, but for people from all walks of life. I recently met someone in the outskirts of Norfolk using a G-Line Electric – Brompton’s big wheel e-bike – simply to move around easily, not for commuting. That moment really highlighted how this innovation empowers people to embrace cycling in ways that suit their lifestyle. The blend of portability and pedal assistance breaks down barriers and opens up cycling to a much wider audience.
Delving a little deeper into judging, what are you going to be looking for when looking at the shortlists for each category, regarding who you might vote for? 
I’ll be looking for entries that reflect genuine passion and purpose, those driven by love for cycling and the community around it. I’ll be drawn to those who bring joy and creativity into what they do. Cycling should be fun, and I want to celebrate people and projects that make others feel excited, included and inspired to ride.
Looking five to ten years down the road, what’s a ‘blue sky’ idea or a radical shift you love to see happen for the cycling industry that you believe has the potential to truly reshape how people move and
interact with bikes?
I’d love to see a future where cycling is truly inclusive, where bikes are designed and promoted for everyone, regardless of race, physical ability, or background. A radical shift would be seeing  diverse representation  not just in marketing, but in product design, infrastructure, and community engagement.
Imagine cities where adaptive bikes are as common as standard ones, and where people of colour and those with varying physical abilities feel fully welcomed and supported in the cycling world. It’s about us all moving together.
Among your many contributions to the cycling industry, are there any projects, initiatives, or achievements that stand out as your absolute proudest, and what made it so personally significant for you?
What I’m most proud of is how people see me—as someone who is kind and helpful in everything I do. Whether it’s supporting a colleague, encouraging someone to try cycling, or simply being there with a smile, that recognition means more to me than any title or milestone. This was mentioned when I was nominated for Bike Biz Woman of the Year, and this has been a great achievement for me. 
As a wellbeing ambassador, my goal is to help people feel good – whether that’s through cycling, yoga, or just creating space for joy and connection. Seeing others feel empowered, healthier, and more confident because of something I’ve contributed to is deeply personal and fulfilling. It’s about building a community where people feel seen, supported, and inspired.
Throughout your career, the industry has likely undergone significant changes. Have there been any shifts you’ve personally experienced that required you to adapt, and how did you navigate that change?
One of the biggest shifts in my career was returning to work after a 16-year career break to raise my children. It was a huge change, exciting but also incredibly daunting. The hardest part was finding a job and being given an opportunity. I’m forever grateful to Nadine, my hiring manager at Brompton, for seeing my potential and giving me that chance.
Navigating this transition wasn’t easy, but I managed it by being honest about what I didn’t know and asking for help when I needed it. My colleagues at Brompton have been incredibly supportive, helping me find my feet and fit back in. Their kindness made all the difference.
This experience taught me that vulnerability isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength. And it reminded me how powerful it is when people lift each other up.
If you could offer some advice, whether something you were told, or a hard-won lesson you learned, to those working in the cycling industry that you believe might resonate or help them in their role, what
would it be?
My advice would be that you’re never too late or too old to try something new. After a 16-year career break to raise my children, coming back to work was a huge change. That experience taught me that growth comes from vulnerability and courage.
So, whether you’re stepping into a new role, trying a new skill, or just getting on a bike for the first time—go for it. Be honest with yourself, ask for help when you need it, and trust that the right people will support you. You never know where it might lead.
