A momentous year for British Cycling has cemented cycling’s status as one of Britain’s 'best-loved sports' according to the organisation’s president Bob Howden, as the governing body today released its Annual Report for 2013/14.
British Cycling’s Annual Report outlines a hugely successful 12 months for the organisation which has established a proven ability to drive mass participation from international success. The past year has seen continued success at elite level, while the organisation’s membership is now at its highest with over 100,000 members.
Speaking about the sport’s increasing profile, British Cycling president Bob Howden said: “When the Olympic and Paralympics Games rolled into the capital in 2012, we thought things could not 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.”
Key successes for British Cycling in 2013/14 include:
- British Cycling reached 100,000 members in October 2014.
- Launching our manifesto to transform Great Britain into a true cycling nation – entitled #ChooseCycling – in February 2014 in Parliament.
- The Tour of Britain was upgraded to 2.HC status by the UCI
- British Cycling was named as Sport Coach UK’s Governing Body of the Year at the UK Coaching Awards.
- The Great Britain Cycling Team now boasts nine Commonwealth Games champions following a hugely successful event in Glasgow.
- Great Britain riders dominated the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, picking up five of the six available medals in the elite downhill events.
- The women’s endurance squad continues to dominate in the team pursuit event as current world and European champions.
- Further success for elite athletes with world champions in track cycling, para-cycling and the men’s elite world time trial event
- Britain welcomed the world’s biggest bike race in July, with the Tour de France Grand Depart taking place over three days in Yorkshire and London.
- A revised performance pathway was announced in May to give Great Britain the best chance of success in Tokyo 2020 and beyond.
- The inaugural Friends Life Women’s Tour became Britain’s first professional women’s stage race in May 2014, taking place over five stages and attracting a high-profile field with 16 of the world’s top women’s teams.
- In 2014, British Cycling delivered 14 Sky Ride Big Bike events across the country with over 100,000 people taking part.
- 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, continued to grow with longer distance Challenge Events successfully introduced for the first time this year.
