31 Oct 2018
£15m investment in cycling to provide 'lasting legacy' from 2019 UCI championships
BY Tom Walker
The government has pledged to invest £15m in improving community cycling facilities across the UK, as part of plans to provide a "lasting legacy" from next year’s UCI Road World Championships.
Working with British Cycling, the funding will be delivered by Sport England with a focus on building multi-use facilities around the country.
The programme aims to engage a broad spectrum of cyclists – with an emphasis on helping young people learn to ride.
A small grants fund will be part of the investment, which will be open for applications from late November (2018).
The announcement comes with a year to go until the UCI Road World Championships will take place in Yorkshire.
“The investment will provide more facilities such as tracks and bike centres, where people can ride confidently and safely as well as access to essential equipment they need to have a go," said Charles Johnston, Sport England's director of property.
“The investment will ensure that anyone inspired to cycle after watching the 2019 UCI Road World Championships will have safe and accessible opportunities to do so in their local area.”
According to minister for sport Tracey Crouch, the UCI event will act as a catalyst for the growth of cycling in the UK.
"I want these championships to leave a lasting legacy for cycling in this country,” she said.
“Our £15m investment in cycling facilities across the UK will further boost the sport at the grassroots and encourage more people to take part and get active.”
Cycling participation has grown rapidly in recent years, with British Cycling reporting a 150 per cent increase in members in the four years after the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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