Facility development and management is a critical component of providing opportunities for cycling, from recreation to elite performance.
A number of disciplines cannot happen without specific facilities (for example BMX/track) and others rely on the goodwill and continued support of landowners to allow access (for example MTB/cyclo-cross).
Part of our role as the National Governing Body is providing the knowledge base to lead the sport and champion the development of appropriate facilities - helping to deliver the right cycling infrastructure, including purpose-built cycle ‘sport’ facilities, that are accessible, high quality and affordable to all.
British Cycling’s work to support this vision for cycling facilities covers two main areas:
Capital funding for cycling facilities
British Cycling’s Places to Ride capital investment programme is now into the evaluation phase. You can read the 2024 impact report below in addition to a selection of Places to Ride case studies.
If you have any questions regarding British Cycling’s Places to Ride programme, please get in touch with the team at placestoride@britishcycling.org.uk
You can read more about how our Places to Ride scheme impacted specific facilities below:
Places to Ride Facilities by Region
Find where Places to Ride invested in your region.
General technical and facility advice
British Cycling, working alongside Sport England and other industry partners, has extensive experience in producing design guidance notes (DGNs) and discussion documents for the development of new and improved facilities. These designs are regularly reviewed to ensure that the latest innovations are captured in support of new projects being planned.
If you have a design queries, require any advice on current facilities or have ambitions for future facility developments, then please get in touch with the facilities team via facilities@britishcycling.org.uk and they will be happy to assist where appropriate.
If you are planning work on a facility, please ensure only appropriately qualified contractors are used, with good knowledge of relevant standards and guidelines.
Whilst British Cycling is not able to provide project-specific design or technical advice, the Facilities team will:
- Help organisations planning new or refurbishing existing cycling facilities to articulate their cycling development requirements, enabling them to develop a cycling facility based on a robust needs and evidence base. This will ensure the right cycling facility is developed to meet demand and that it is sustainable.
- Support stakeholders to articulate a logical step-by-step process that will lead to the development of a clear Statement of Requirements for the cycling facility based on the needs of users and sport development outcomes. This Statement of Requirements can then be handed on to the design team to develop a design brief and take forward the detailed design.
- Provide technical design guidance for each type of purpose-built cycling facility which addresses the critical factors that need to be considered for a particular project
Bob Maitland Fund (West Midlands Only)
The Bob Maitland Legacy Programme was established in memory of the 1948 Olympic medallist Bob Maitland, who passed away in August 2010. Bob Maitland left his estate to British Cycling, with the directive that it should create a legacy in the names of his late wife, Muriel Maitland, and himself.
Though referred to as a 'Trust,' the legacy is a ring-fenced cash fund within the British Cycling budget, dedicated to supporting cycling within the West Midlands. Bob Maitland’s strong ties to the Solihull Cycling Club are reflected in the use of part of his estate to fund floodlights for the Club's facilities. The remaining funds are focused on growing cycling participation and supporting the sport across the West Midlands.
Contact
For any queries regarding facilities, please feel free to contact the facilities team.
All of the advice on this website and associated documentation is generic and does not apply to your specific circumstances. As such, for the avoidance of doubt, British Cycling is not accepting any legal liability for your facility, which would remain with the operator/owner under common law and the Occupiers Liability Act.
