The Jo Cox Way: Murdered Batley and Spen MP’s message ‘embraced even more now’ says organiser of Cleckheaton to London bike ride held in her name

Jo was killed by a far-right gunman on June 16, 2016, after attending a constituents’ surgery at Birstall Library.

Just weeks after her tragic passing, a businessman from North Yorkshire, who had not even met Jo or been to Batley, Dewsbury or the Spen Valley, took it upon himself to organise a now-annual bike ride from Cleckheaton to London in her name.

The Jo Cox Way, the brainchild of Sarfraz Mian, was inspired by the message from her very first speech in Parliament - “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.”

Ten years, and a forthcoming eleventh 290-mile epic bike ride, later, it is a message which Sarfraz believes is even more important.

“It is incredible that ten years have passed,” he told the Reporter Series. “It was such a disturbing time and it resonated with so many people.”

He said: “The crazy thing is that I had never been to Batley or Dewsbury. But what had happened really struck me and this ‘more in common’ message resonated with me. I went to the memorial service and it was so emotional.

“But if we look at what is going on in the world at the moment, with all the trouble and the strife, this message - that resonated and bounced around the world when Jo was murdered about having more in common - needs to be embraced even more.

“It is remarkable to be saying this ten years on from when that tragic event took place, but it feels like the message is even more poignant, significant and important to humanity. It is a desperately sad situation.

“We are all optimistic, we want the best for each other and for the children growing up, and we want to leave the world in a better place than when we arrived. But sometimes you think the world is going backwards.”

Since that first ride in 2016, 360 different cyclists have pedalled their way to the capital in Jo’s name, cycling over a mammoth 150,000 miles in total - the equivalent of six times around the world - with hundreds more joining in along the trek.

On those “remarkable” people who have hopped on a bike for Jo over the last decade, Sarfraz, who himself has cycled 3,000 miles as part of the annual event, said:

“It is about wonderful people doing great things for their communities. And that’s the normality. The negative stuff that goes on in the world is not normal.

“I think the ride is important because it stands as a reminder that there is all this wonderful stuff that goes on up and down the country. We travel the country from Cleckheaton to London, and meet people in tiny villages and communities, and you see all of the good stuff happening in all of those places.

“For me it is a hugely positive thing that brings together all sorts of people from all sorts of walks of life. And so many people have done it multiple times. They keep coming back.”

This year’s ride will set off from Princess Mary Athletics Stadium on Wednesday, July 22, and end in London on Sunday, July 26.

Jo’s sister, Kim Leadbeater MP, now represents the Spen Valley constituency where Jo grew up.

Kim said: “The Jo Cox Way is such a powerful part of Jo’s legacy. It means so much to our family. The event Sarfraz has created is wonderful. It’s encouraged so many people of different ages and from different communities to make new friends and show that we really do have ‘more in common’ than that which divides us, as Jo famously said.

“It’s a tough challenge but cycling has enormous physical and mental health benefits and also helps combat loneliness and isolation; causes Jo cared deeply about.

“It’s everything Jo would have loved.”

Readers who wish to take part in The Jo Cox Way 2026 can sign up via: https://www.riderhq.com/events/p/da4qm46b/f/the-jo-cox-way-2026

All funds raised go to The Jo Cox Foundation. There’s more information about their work here: https://www.jocoxfoundation.org