Images: SW Pix

Cycling rates have increased by approximately 100,000 in the past year, according to the latest official statistics from Sport England’s Active Lives Survey.

The survey, which is a snapshot of the nation’s sport and physical activity habits, is based on a sample of almost 180,000 respondents and analyses the number of people who have engaged in activities, including cycling, at least twice in the last 28 days.

The results also show a significant increase amongst women cycling over the past twelve months – success which runs in line with British Cycling’s One in a Million campaign, a concerted effort to support and encourage women to choose cycling – at whatever level – by tackling the common barriers preventing women riding a bike. 

The figures also chime with the increase we have seen in female membership – with more women joining British Cycling in the past year than in any other year of our 60-year history, and recording eight times more female members than ten years ago.

Dani Every, Cycling Delivery Director at British Cycling, said: “Cycling is the solution to so many of society's challenges - from air pollution to physical inactivity and obesity - and these figures are a reassuring sign that an ever-increasing number of people are choosing to get on their bike.

“Regardless of people’s motivations, cycling really is an activity that can be embraced by people of any age, from any background, with 41% of the population having ridden a bike at least once in the last year.

“Most crucially, we know that 57% of people want to cycle more often and through our innovative portfolio of programmes and our world class facilities we continue to improve access for people who are less likely to engage with our sport – including women, children and those with lifelong illnesses or disabilities.

“The fact that there has been a significant increase in the number of women cycling is truly refreshing and is testament to our work to break down the barriers for women– with our HSBC UK Breeze programme experiencing record numbers and more female members joining British Cycling in the past year than in any other of our 60-year history.”

The Sport England data also shows that there are one million more people active in England – the highest number of active people ever recorded, with evidence showing that active people report higher levels of mental wellbeing and are more likely to be satisfied with their life, feeling happier and less anxious.

To find out more about Active Lives and see the full results in full on the Sport England website.