Sport has reached 'new heights' says British Cycling

British Cycling’s annual report for 2013/14 reveals that membership is now at an all-time high having hit 100,000 last month. President Bob Howden says that events like the Tour de France and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games have helped position cycling as one of Britain’s best-loved sports.

The rise in membership represents year-on-year growth of 22 per cent. Half took out membership for racing cyclists (Race Membership) and the other half took out membership for leisure cycling and commuting (Ride Membership). On top of this, under-18 memberships have exceeded 13,000 for the first time.

Howden welcomed the growth.

“When the Olympic and Paralympics Games rolled into the capital in 2012, we thought things couldn’t get any better for cycling in this country. Since then however, millions have viewed the grandest Grand Depart in the long history of the Tour de France, followed by the spectacular Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Seeing the enthusiasm and passion for cycling on the faces of so many new fans – young and old – reinforces my view that cycling is now firmly positioned as one of Britain’s best-loved sports.

“The surge in interest in cycling of course requires more volunteers committing their time to the sport to keep it running. We are so lucky to have an outstanding network of members and volunteers – without which we simply could not function. Their support makes our great sport what it is and I want to thank each and every one of them for their continued support during what has been a remarkable year.”

As well as the visit of the Tour and Commonwealth success, British Cycling lists other highlights of the year as including domination at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, where five of the six available medals in the elite downhill events went to British riders; world champions in track cycling, para-cycling and the men’s elite world time trial event; and the fact that the Tour of Britain was upgraded to 2.HC status by the UCI. The inaugural Friends Life Women’s Tour is also noted for becoming Britain’s first professional women’s stage race.

But while the organisation points to elite success as being a driving force for growth, other aspects of its work have also played a part. In 2014, British Cycling delivered 14 Sky Ride Big Bike events across the country with over 100,000 people taking part, while Go-Ride coaches and club volunteers have delivered an estimated 400,000 opportunities for young people over the past year. British Cycling’s women’s guided ride programme, Breeze, also earns a mention for its continued growth and for the introduction of the longer distance Breeze Challenge Events.

Howden was keen to thank all those who had helped out at such events.

“The surge in interest in cycling of course requires more volunteers committing their time to the sport to keep it running. We are so lucky to have an outstanding network of members and volunteers – without which we simply could not function. Their support makes our great sport what it is and I want to thank each and every one of them for their continued support during what has been a remarkable year.”