British Cycling was formed in 1959 through the amalgamation of the National Cyclists Union and the British League of Racing Cyclists.

Since the early 1990s, British Cycling has been based at the HSBC UK National Cycling Centre in Manchester. Built on the site of an old power station in East Manchester as part of a general regeneration of the area by Manchester City Council, the original velodrome hosted both the 2002 Commonwealth Games and the 2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.

The centre was expanded in 2011 with the construction of an indoor BMX Centre and new offices for British Cycling thanks to an additional £24 million investment from Manchester City Council, Sport England and the European Regional Development Fund to firmly establish Manchester as the home of cycling.

The creation of this home for the sport, along with the introduction of National Lottery funding in 1997, have proved to be the catalyst for the success enjoyed by cycling both in terms of Olympic and Paralympic medals and general participation particularly over the past few years.

British Cycling operates under the leadership of its president, Bob Howden, supported by the British Cycling board which comprises seven elected members, three appointed members and the chief executive. The day-to-day running of British Cycling is overseen by the organisation’s senior management team, operating under the leadership of the chief executive. The board meets six times per year and board elections by the membership take place annually at British Cycling’s National Council.

The organisation’s 250-strong workforce is largely based at British Cycling’s headquarters at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester. However, around 80 of the organisation’s employees are regionally based. They work with our 10 English regions and with clubs, event organisers and local authorities to improve all forms of cycling in communities nationwide.