If you have ever dreamed of seeing your cycling photography on the cover of a major magazine, the BIKE Photography Contest 2026 is a very direct way to give that idea a real try. Open to photographers around the world, it focuses on cycling in all its forms. The contest runs until 28 February 2026 and offers a £1,500 cash prize, the title of Photographer of the Year 2026, a magazine cover, a full interview and publication in BIKE Magazine. Each submission costs £15 per category.
The range of themes is wide, from MTB and “Tech Geek” to Nature and Touring, so there is space for fast action, quiet travel stories and images that concentrate on design, technology or atmosphere. Submissions are reviewed by an experienced jury of industry professionals, which gives the final selection real weight. For photographers who regularly browse other online photography contests, this BIKE Photography Contest stands out because it speaks directly to people who care about bicycles and the culture around them, not just photography in general.
Contents
Prizes
The BIKE Photography Contest 2026 focuses its prize structure on real visibility within BIKE Magazine and a clear main award. The combination of a cash prize, a cover feature and ongoing editorial presence makes the outcome very concrete for the winners.
- Grand Prize:
The overall winner receives a £1,500 cash prize, the title of Photographer of the Year 2026, the front cover of the May issue of BIKE Magazine with a full interview, publication across all BIKE Magazine print and digital platforms and a one year subscription to the magazine. - Second Place:
The second placed photographer is awarded a featured segment in BIKE Magazine with a full interview, publication on the magazine’s print and digital platforms and a one year subscription. - Third Place:
The third placed entry receives a segment in the magazine with a shorter interview, publication across BIKE Magazine channels and a one year subscription. - Category Winners:
Each category winner has their work included in a Special Album, is published on BIKE Magazine platforms and receives a one year subscription. - Top Category Winner:
One standout category winner is additionally offered a six month collaboration contract with BIKE Magazine, which can lead to more regular exposure and assignments.
Related Photo Contests
Categories or Themes
The BIKE Photography Contest 2026 is built around a set of categories that follow the different ways people ride and photograph bikes, from performance and travel to daily life and more experimental ideas.
- Futurism
- Pro Cycling
- Road Cycling
- Off road Cycling
- MTB
- Cycling Holiday
- Touring
- Bikepacking
- Sport
- Nature
- Architecture
- Commuting
- Tech Geek
- Open Theme
Dates and Entry Fees
- Opening date: 25 March 2025
- Closing date: 28 February 2026
- Judging period: March 2026
- Winners announced: in the April 2026 issue of BIKE Magazine
The entry fee is £15 per category.
How to Enter
To enter, photographers register on the BIKE Magazine website, upload their images, accept the BIKE Photography Contest rules and complete the payment of the entry fee. Each entry can include up to four images in JPEG or JPG format with a maximum file size of 6 MB per image. There is no limit to the number of categories or projects that can be submitted, which makes it possible to explore different approaches within the same edition of the contest.
About the Jury
A panel of five established image professionals evaluates the submissions. The BIKE Photography Contest 2026 jury includes the Creative Director at BIKE Magazine as Lead Judge and several professional photographers with experience in areas such as landscape, portrait, wildlife, art, editorial, nature and abstract photography, along with previous winners of the contest. This mix of backgrounds helps ensure that both strong ideas and solid technical execution are recognised.
Why Enter BIKE Photography Contest 2026?
For photographers who spend a good part of their time with a camera and a bike, the BIKE Photography Contest 2026 feels very close to everyday life. Many people already shoot rides with friends, quiet solo miles or small details like tools, components and city bike lanes. This contest turns those images into a concrete opportunity, judged by people who understand both photography and cycling culture. Compared with very broad trending photo challenges online or general international photography contests, it offers a more focused audience that is already interested in this specific subject.
The structure of the contest also makes it attractive for photographers at different stages. The cash prize and the possibility of a BIKE Magazine cover are clear goals, but many entrants will value the chance to see their work in print or on a respected cycling platform just as much. Publication in the magazine and on its digital channels can push images far beyond a personal portfolio, especially in categories that connect to landscape, sports, travel or nature photography. On top of that, the Special Album for category winners and the six month collaboration for the top category winner create a path to build an ongoing relationship with the publication, rather than a one off appearance.
All of this makes the BIKE Photography Contest 2026 a practical choice for anyone who wants their cycling work to reach readers, riders and industry professionals who follow BIKE Magazine, not just social media followers or general photo competition audiences.
Rules & Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the BIKE Photography Contest 2026 has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Rules
All entrants must be at least 18 years old. Submissions must be the entrant’s original work. Each project or category may include up to four images. Only JPEG or JPG files with a maximum size of 6 MB are accepted. There is no limit to the number of entries that can be submitted. Manipulated images are allowed as long as they remain tasteful. Images may have been taken at any time, and photographs that have appeared in other competitions are still eligible. Watermarks, borders and visible signatures are not allowed, and final submissions must be high resolution and free of any added text.
Copyright and Image Usage
Photographers retain the copyright to their images. By entering, they grant BIKE Magazine a non exclusive, irrevocable worldwide license to reproduce and use the submitted images for the purposes of the contest, for publication in the print or digital magazine and for related promotional materials. Images may be used by BIKE Magazine and its media partners across different platforms, with credit to the photographer. Entrants are responsible for securing any necessary permissions or releases if their images include identifiable people, and lack of proper consent can result in disqualification.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
