British Cycling passes 80,000 members

Elite success continues to attract new cyclists, says federation

Published: October 7, 2013 at 10:44 am

British Cycling have more than 80,000 members – an extra 5,000 since the federation reported growth figures in June this year.

The federation's 2013 annual report claims elite success such as Chris Froome's Tour de France win – the second in a row by a British athlete after Bradley Wiggins last year – is attracting new grassroots members.

According to Ian Drake, British Cycling's chief executive, competition is also flourishing. Around 26,000 people race regularly in 3,600 competitive events – a figure which excludes the burgeoning sportives calendar.

Other highlights in the last 12 months include the opening of the £113m Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow, winning the sports governing body of the year award at the Sports Industry Awards and encouraging one million people to cycle at least once a month – a target set in conjunction with principal partner, Sky, and hit a year early.

Brian Cookson, the federation's former president who now heads up the UCI said: "The legacy of our remarkable success at the Olympics and Paralympics, our Tour de France winners and the success of our athletes across all disciplines continues to have a huge impact on all people in Britain being inspired to get on a bike."

Read British Cycling's 2013 annual report here.