A bike is a vehicle for change

 In a year when cycling levels increased by as much as 350% and thousands of people took to their bikes to keep themselves and their communities safe, British Cycling has dedicated this year’s Christmas video to the power of the humble bicycle.

During the first national lockdown in the spring 1.2 million more people cycled for leisure or sport, as the country enjoyed the warm weather, quieter roads and benefit to their mental wellbeing. Figures from the Bicycle Association show that retailers have seen sales grow by 60% since March, while many more riders revived old ones found in sheds and garages.

Throughout the year British Cycling members have continued to receive peace of mind liability cover, legal support and up-to-date guidance on cycling activities from the national governing body, with the number of those opting for Commute membership cover growing particularly strongly. At the same time, the support of our members has enabled us to support the sport through a challenging period and lay the foundations for returning it to full health in 2021.

Commenting on the film’s launch, British Cycling Head of Customer Engagement, Laura Thomas, said:

“This year hasn’t been without change, but the power of our bikes has never been quite so clear. We all know the individual benefits of cycling in terms of our physical and mental health, but through this video we wanted to show that everybody who rides a bike – no matter how fast or how far – is playing a part in making the country a happier, healthier and greener place.

“Over the past decade we’ve seen an incredible rise in the number of people joining British Cycling as members, contributing to the ongoing development of our sport at all levels and helping us to support even more people to ride for fun, fitness or simply an easier way to get around. At the end of a year when over a million more people have discovered this joy for themselves, we hope that many of them will join us for the journey too.”

Last year, British Cycling charted the journey of BMX star Kye Whyte from receiving his first #ChristmasBike aged three to the cusp of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, which was viewed over 350,000 times.