Cycling UK’s Post

At Cycling UK, we believe it’s time for the new government to make a committed investment in cycling for transport. Our recent survey shows that nearly half of the population doesn't cycle due to road safety concerns, even though 92% of adults can ride a bike. We're calling for an increased investment in safe cycle routes and infrastructure to address these safety concerns and encourage more people to cycle. Committing just 10% of the transport budget to active travel can bring huge benefits to public health and the environment. Read the full article in The Observer to learn more about our call to end the culture war on active travel and push for safer cycling conditions: https://lnkd.in/eZeAV3AD #CyclingUK #ActiveTravel #SafeCycling #SustainableTransport #PublicHealth #Environment

WielerFlits article (in Dutch): Tour director Christian Prudhomme: “Better protective cycling clothing is a necessity” https://lnkd.in/ec2xbZJ3 This article in Dutch @WielerFlits is about a major interview in the summer issue of RIDE Magazine, which will be published at the end of May, where Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme indicates that changes must be made in the short term to increase the safety of the riders. He thinks it is high time to make cyclists' cycling clothing more protective against the impact of falls. He cites the fall of Wout van Aert in Dwars door Vlaanderen as an example. "It is not possible for a cyclist to sit on the ground after such a fall with a completely torn shirt and his skin completely shredded." “In the Netflix series, Jonathan Vaughters says to imagine the impact of a fall as if you were jumping out of a moving car wearing your swimsuit. We can't find that normal. We cannot continue to accept that riders wear clothing that does not even protect their skin in the event of a crash, as was the case with Van Aert. Left or right, that has to be changed.” One of the solutions in the context of better protective cycling clothing is the clothing from Team dsm-firmenich PostNL made by Nalini (MOA Sport) with Dyneema®. This fabric ensures that the clothing does not tear in the event of a fall, which can prevent abrasions. With its high tensile strength and low friction coefficient, Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™, ensures cycling gear is highly resistant to abrasion and wear while maintaining the comfort and low weight that cyclists demand. It’s also resistant to moisture, UV rays, and most chemicals, ensuring that it maintains its abrasion-resistant properties even in challenging outdoor conditions.

🚴♂️ Cycling UK urges an end to the divisive culture war on #activetravel, advocating for a significant investment in safer cycling routes 👏 With a public push for improved infrastructure, it's time to prioritise the safety and needs of cyclists. Cycling UK polling found that while 92% of UK adults can ride a bike, fewer than half do, with 48% of people citing road safety as the reason why they do not cycle. Let's embrace a forward-thinking approach to urban mobility for healthier communities and a healthier planet 🌍 https://lnkd.in/eZeAV3AD #Cycling #CyclingUK #ActiveScore #UrbanPlanning #SustainableCities

The UCI recently announced the introduction of Women's Pro Teams. This is a second division for women's cycling teams that will exist between the Women’s World Tour (WWT) and Continental (CT) level. Teams registering at this level commit to UCI rules with minimum standards that are very similar to those of the WWT. The Cyclists' Alliance (TCA) supports this step in the further professionalization of women’s cycling. At the same time, we want to emphasize that there is still work to be done at the Continental level. Over the years, we gained a lot of insight into the working conditions at the CT level. Based on this data, the TCA has several recommendations to improve the working environment within the CT teams. Whilst we understand financial resources are often limited, we believe that when riders are expected to reach a professional level, there should be the same obligation and expectations on the employer. This translates into four recommendations for the UCI: 1.  Increased monitoring and enforcement of compliance with existing UCI regulations by existing CTs; 2.  Create and impose minimum financial standards for any prospective or current CT’s; 3.  Create and impose minimum standards regarding the professionalism of a CT’s organization; 4.  Standardization of rider employment classification TCA recently raised concerns about the conditions within Continental teams and provided recommendations for change by sending a letter to the UCI on October 23rd, 2023. Unfortunately, TCA never received a response. The issues persist at this level of cycling, so TCA wishes to bring this to the UCI's attention once again.  The introduction of Women’s Pro Teams marks a positive step forward for women’s cycling. At the same time, the problems at the CT level remain, and the gap between all levels is growing. TCA encourages the UCI to deepen their commitment to professionalizing women’s cycling at all UCI governed levels as soon as possible. Read full statement and letter sent to the UCI on our website: https://lnkd.in/ghxTbgCr

Dutch Innovation in Portland: Countdown Timers for Safer Cycling! 🚦 Did you know that TNL brought Dutch-style countdown timers all the way to Portland, Oregon? Through a collaboration with the Dutch Cycling Embassy, we delivered the same timers used in the Netherlands to improve the cycling experience in America's cycling capital! Peter Koonce, Division Manager for Signals at the Portland Bureau of Transportation, shared how these timers are helping to enhance safety and efficiency for cyclists in Portland. With positive results, these solutions could be expanded across the U.S. to make cycling safer and more intuitive. Are you curious about how Dutch innovations can transform American cities? Learn more about our efforts and how we are driving change in U.S. transportation infrastructure. https://lnkd.in/gbCuyjd5 #CyclingInnovation #SmartMobility Technolution #DutchCycling #SustainableCities #GoDutch

Our review of the literature on COVID and cycling is now free open-access: We reviewed 100 peer-reviewed articles and 12 non-refereed papers on COVID-19 and cycling published from March 2020 to January 2023. Overall, the studies suggest more increases than decreases in cycling, with some cities reporting large increases. However, there has been much variation among countries, cities, and specific corridors within cities as well as variation by gender, age, ethnicity, income group, trip purpose, and time period of the pandemic. The largest increases in cycling in 2020 were for recreation, exercise, and stress relief on weekends and weekday afternoons. By comparison, cycling to work, university, schools, and shopping generally declined. Most studies reported expansions or improvements in bikeway networks, often specifically related to COVID or accelerated due to COVID, and with a particular emphasis on low-stress facilities such as protected bike lanes, slow streets, car-free streets, and traffic calmed neighbourhood streets. Most of the studies examining the social equity impacts of COVID-related cycling policies found them to be broadly equitable across income, ethnic, age, and gender dimensions. Many studies recommended further expansion of low-stress, safer facilities in order to attract a broader cross-section of the population to cycling.

The Land of Second Chances: The Impossible Rise of Rwanda’s Cycling Team” by Tim Lewis is a compelling narrative that follows the unexpected and inspiring journey of Rwanda’s national cycling team. Here are the key points from the book: 1. Rwanda’s History and Context: The book begins by providing a background on Rwanda, including its tragic history with the 1994 genocide. It sets the stage for the remarkable story of the country’s recovery and transformation 2. Jock Boyer’s Involvement: The story introduces Jock Boyer, the first American to compete in the Tour de France. Boyer, after facing his own personal struggles, travels to Rwanda and becomes a central figure in the development of the cycling team. His role as a coach and mentor is crucial to the team’s progress 3. Adrien Niyonshuti: One of the standout figures in the book is Adrien Niyonshuti, a genocide survivor who becomes one of Rwanda’s top cyclists. His journey from a small village to competing in the Olympics symbolizes the resilience and potential of the Rwandan people 4. Team Rwanda: The formation and evolution of Team Rwanda is at the heart of the narrative. The team, composed of riders from various backgrounds, faces numerous challenges, including lack of resources, training facilities, and experience in international competitions 5. Cultural and Social Impact: The book explores the broader impact of the cycling team’s success on Rwanda’s society. It highlights how the team brings hope, unity, and a sense of national pride to a country still healing from its past 6. Overcoming Adversity: The cyclists’ stories are filled with personal and collective hardships. The narrative emphasizes themes of perseverance, determination, and the ability to overcome significant obstacles 7. International Competitions: The book covers the team’s participation in various international competitions, including the Tour of Ireland and the Olympics. These events serve as milestones in the team’s development and showcase their growing capabilities 8. Challenges and Triumphs: The journey of Team Rwanda is not without setbacks. The book details the difficulties they face, such as financial constraints, accidents, and the steep learning curve of competing at a high level. Despite these challenges, the team’s triumphs are celebrated as victories for the entire nation. 9. Future Prospects: The book concludes with reflections on the future of cycling in Rwanda and the potential for continued growth and success. It leaves readers with a sense of optimism and the belief that sports can be a vehicle for positive change “The Land of Second Chances” is a powerful and inspiring tale of hope, resilience, and the extraordinary rise of Rwanda’s cycling team against all odds. Through the lens of sports, it highlights the human capacity for recovery and the pursuit of dreams

In cycling culture, few brands have woven their threads as deeply and beautifully as Rapha. Since its inception in 2004, the British brand has redefined what it means to be a cyclist and what one looks like. From the outset, Rapha captured the spirit of cycling—a sport that is as much about the beauty of the ride as it is about the grit and determination that fuels it. Enthralled by the age in which cyclists were as famous as film stars, when pros rode with panache instead of high-tech gadgets, Simon Mottram, started the brand with the bold proclamation that cycling is the toughest and most beautiful sport in the world, and then invited the world to fall in love with it, too. Mottram saw the art and beauty in cycling despite the garish, polyester apparel of the time. He introduced the world to cycling fashion, combining form and function in a way that had never been done before. More than just giving us something to wear, Rapha encouraged us to celebrate our passion, to wear our love of cycling with pride, and to invite others to come along for the ride. Rapha pairs inspirational storytelling and stunning visuals with clubhouses, events and riding groups, turning cycling into the shared experience that ties the WorldTour with the weekend warrior. But as it celebrates its 20th anniversary, the brand is grappling with shifting tides and reporting financial losses for the seventh year in a row. Rapha may have written the playbook on how to become a successful cycling brand but are emerging competitors beating them at their own game? Is it possible that Rapha’s growth has changed its identity? And who even is the Rapha rider anymore? I sat down with Simon Mottram in the picturesque Luberon region of southern France to find out. https://lnkd.in/ghR3VdEK

🇬🇧 How Small Improvements Transformed British Cycling 🚲 — and What Business Can Learn From It Cycling was never a popular sport in Britain. For the first 110 years of the Tour de France, despite Britain’s reputation as a sports-loving country, no British cyclist had ever won the event. (By contrast, tiny Luxembourg won it five times, Belgium 18, and France 36!) British cyclists were so underwhelming that one equipment supplier refused to sell to the British team, fearing that association with their lackluster performance might hurt sales. This all changed in 2003 with the appointment of Dave Brailsford as “Performance Director.” Unlike other coaches, Brailsford had an intense focus on details and firmly believed that major results come from a series of small improvements. Here are just a few of the changes Brailsford implemented: - Redesigned bike seats for more comfort. - Started rubbing alcohol on tires for better grip. - Provided riders with heated jerseys to minimize injuries and strains. - Tested multiple massage gels to find the most effective one. - Customized mattresses and ergonomic pillows for each athlete. - Painted the interiors of team trucks white to spot any dirt that could affect the bikes. Individually, these changes might seem minor, but combined, they played a crucial role. Just five years after Brailsford's arrival, the British cycling team dominated the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning 60% of available gold medals. Four years later, at the London Olympics, they set seven world records and nine Olympic records. And while Britain had no Tour de France wins in the first 110 years, since 2012, they’ve claimed victory six times. Brailsford’s approach is a powerful example of how constant, small improvements lead to major advantages over time. The numbers speak for themselves: a 1% daily improvement compounds to nearly 3,700% in a year. This principle applies universally—whether in personal growth, business, or sports. There's no luck, only the ongoing effort to be a bit better than the rest.

Gen Z is making cycling great again! The numbers infer that the digital-first generation is choosing cycling as a more sustainable way to travel and commute to work or school. Yes, it could ultimately be to save money in the long run - but a recent study by the University of Oxford proved that choosing a bike over a car even just once a day reduces the average person's transport-related carbon emissions by 67%. According to Strava’s most recent report, Gen Zers (generally, those born between 1997 and 2012) have a growing love affair with both gravel, and e-bikes - boosting cycling on gravel roads by 55%, and electric mobility by 23%. https://lnkd.in/e6W9CfDF