British Cycling targets more medals and more women

British Cycling has launched its four year strategy, including its 2016 Olympic and Paralympic ambitions.

British Cycling, which recently elected a new president following the departure of Brian Cookson to head up UCI, is targeting the following by 2017:

• To maintain or increase the medal tally of the British teams performance in London at the 2015 Olympic and Paralympic Games – a feat not achieved by a host nation to date in the history of the Games.
• Increasing once a week participation by 125,000, achieved through British Cycling’s continued partnership with Sky and a "significant expansion of British Cycling’s delivery model with local authorities and other stakeholders"
• An ambitious target of getting one million more women cycling by 2020.
• Membership growth and "providing a strong voice on behalf of all cyclists, actively promoting their needs and protecting their rights"
• A push for greater sustainability with an increased volunteer workforce, who can drive participation, supported by an increased membership base.

British Cycling’s chief executive Ian Drake said: “British Cycling is now well-established as the leading sports governing body in this country, thanks to an astonishing range of successes across the Olympic and Paralympic Games, World Championships and the creation and successes of Team Sky. But it is not just there that we have delivered. Our participation programmes have continued to thrive. Our partnership with Sky is transforming participation in cycling across Britain with over one million new regular participants recruited since we launched the Sky Ride programme in 2009.

“Looking to the future, our challenge is to continue to thrive in this new era and expand in a sustainable manner, making the most of the opportunities offered to us. More people than ever before, in every walk of life, now know more about cycling and want to get involved. We are determined to welcome them, encourage them and work with them to move our sport forward.”

British Cycling’s new president Bob Howden added: “Over the next four years we need to remain true to what has become our tradition: to succeed on the world stage and to inspire people to enjoy riding their bikes more often, be it for sport, recreation or transport.

“Brian Cookson is a tough act to follow – especially when you look at the amazing roll call of successes that British Cycling has enjoyed under his leadership. We are certainly riding high and it’s now my job to ensure that we build on this over the next four year cycle. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Minister for Sport Helen Grant commented: “This ambitious four-year plan shows that British Cycling has no intention of standing still. I welcome the focus on increased participation, closing the gender gap by getting more women riding bikes and continued elite success. I also applaud the much-needed governance changes that will mean that it can have a more representative board. This will provide opportunities for talented women to help shape cycling’s future in this country from the top of the organisation.”