Cycling in the United Kingdom

Cycling in the United Kingdom has a long history, since the earliest days of the bicycle, and after a decline in the mid 20th century has been undergoing a resurgence in recent decades.[1][2]

History

John Kemp Starley, a 19th century English inventor is often considered the inventor of the modern bicycle. He began producing the Rover Safety Bicycle in 1955.

In the late 19th century, the city of Coventry was the largest producer of bicycles in the world.[3]

The National Clarion Cycling Club, which has member sections across the country, was started in the 1890s and was instrumental in the promotion of the socialist movement as well as the growth in popularity of cycling.

Utility cycling

The numbers of people commuting to work by bicycle increased by 17% to 760,000 in England and Wales between 2001 and 2011,[2] a total proportion of 2.9% of all commuters.[4]

At the governmental level, cycling is a responsibility of the Department for Transport.

Initiatives such as the Cycle to Work scheme are designed to encourage cycling as a mode of transport, particularly for its environmental benefits against automobile use.

The DfT administers the Bikeability national cycle training programme, which educates both children and adults in bike handling skills and safe cycling on public roads.[5]

Cycle routes

The National Cycle Network, created by the charity Sustrans, is the UK's major network of signed routes for cycling. It uses dedicated bike paths as well as roads with minimal traffic, and covers 14,000 miles, passing within a mile of half of all homes.[6] Other cycling routes such as The National Byway, the Sea to Sea Cycle Route and local cycleways can be found across the country.

Cycle racing

The governing organisation for cycling in the UK is British Cycling.

The 21st century has seen a dramatic increase in the performance of British cyclists at the top levels of international cycling. Great Britain dominated the medal tables in cycling at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, while riders such as Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome have recorded multiple wins in professional road races such as the Tour de France.

Major professional road races include the Tour of Britain, the Tour de Yorkshire, The Women's Tour and the London–Surrey Classic. On the track, the Revolution series events are most prominent. London hosted the 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.

Velodromes and other permanent tracks

There are five Olympic-size indoor velodromes in Britain: the Olympic Velodrome in Lee Valley VeloPark, Manchester Velodrome, the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Wales National Velodrome and Derby Arena.

The National Indoor BMX Arena is located at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.

Leisure and mass-participation cycling events

Well-known regular events amateur and leisure cyclists include RideLondon and the Dunwich Dynamo. More than 100,000 people took part in cyclosportives in 2014.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Barney Thompson (2015-04-03). "British cyclists hit the road in record numbers". Financial Times. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  2. 1 2 Kaya Burgess (2013-03-06). "Commuting by bike soars by nearly a fifth". The Times. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  3. ↑ "Coventry's Bicycle Heritage". Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  4. ↑ "Census reveals details of how we travel to work in England and Wales". Office for National Statistics. 2013-02-13. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  5. ↑ "Bikeability gets kids in the saddle at Manchester City Football Club". British Cycling. 2013-08-22. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
  6. ↑ "About the National Cycle Network". Retrieved 2016-02-18.
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