Over 100,000 more cyclists are riding bikes at least once a week than were in October 2012, the latest results from Sport England’s Active People survey revealed today.  

The news brings the total number of regular adult cyclists to more than two million and means that British Cycling is on track to meet the participation targets set by Sport England at the start of the 2013-2017 Whole Sport Plan.

Cycling remains the third most popular sport in England.

Welcoming the news, British Cycling’s chief executive, Ian Drake, said:  “The appetite we’re seeing for cycling in this country is at an all-time high. Over two years on from London 2012, and with a fantastic Tour de France behind us, we are still seeing a steady increase in the number of people getting on bikes.

“And we’re not talking about getting the bike out of the shed once a year, these results are about inspiring people to ride week-in, week- out - whatever the weather.  

“Our focus is now on the sustainable growth of the sport and we’ve forged a wealth of new partnerships in the last year with transport authorities like Transport for London as well as councils and the private sector.

“The backing we continue to enjoy from our members, clubs, volunteers, our principal partner Sky, Sport England and Local Authority partners has been paramount to our ability to provide a supportive environment for all cyclists, however they want to ride.” 

Over the last 12 months, British Cycling’s work to increase participation in the sport has delivered the following results:

• 2,069,200 adults in England now cycling at least once every week
• 3,628,400 adults in England now cycling at least monthly
• Over half a million regular cyclists are women, an increase of 2% in the last 12 months.
• 385,600 young people now ride bikes frequently
• Frequent cycling among people with an impairment is now at 184,000

Additionally, British Cycling’s programmes have delivered the following participation results in the last 12 months:

• Over 100,000 people have taken part in Sky Ride Big Bike events – traffic-free family cycling events that British Cycling staged in partnership with 14 cities.
• 2,200 Sky Ride Local rides took place. These are free, local rides led by one of 1,600 specially trained Ride Leaders.
• Nearly 5,000 Breeze bike rides – free guided rides for women – took place in 2014, attended by over 17,500 women and children. 
• Ride Social – Britain’s biggest social cycling community - now has over 50,000 buddies.
• Membership of British Cycling surpassing 100,000 for the first time in the organisation’s history.
• Over 4,000 competitive and sportive events delivered by our clubs, members, and volunteers.
• British Cycling’s youth cycling programme - Go-Ride - together with coaches and club volunteers, has delivered around 500,000 opportunities for young people to get into cycling in the last year.

Find out more about British Cycling’s recreational programmes.