NEWS Rise in demand for women’s race gear
Stats indicate significant upswing in women’s cycle racing licence holders – almost up a quarter By Jonathon Harker
WOMEN’S ROAD and circuit racing is on the up with female British Cycling licence holders having increased by 23 per cent in the last year. Figures show there’s been a 44 per cent
increase in the number of women-only road races and a 66 per cent increase in the number of circuit races between 2012 and 2013, with growth in all regions. All this is ahead of the Women’s Tour launching this year in Britain. British Cycling’s director of cycle sport and membership Jonny Clay said: “We are delighted to see plans put in place last March are already having a tangible impact in increasing the number of events available to women, and the number participants eager to take part. “Women’s cycling is a clear area for
growth in this country and we’re very optimistic that our plans for further strengthening the domestic scene, alongside inspiration through attracting and developing a major international event such as the Women’s Tour, can further impact this trend.” Increasing both female participation and the number of competitive events available to women are key features of British Cycling’s strategy to get one million more women cycling by 2020. British Cycling regional events officers and
“Women’s cycling is a clear area for growth in this country.” Jonny Clay, British Cycling
Go-Ride coaches have adopted a co- ordinated approach in 2014, delivering women specific rider development sessions linked to racing opportunities.
www.britishcycling.org.uk
Cycle to work saving 500 lives By Jonathon Harker
NOT ONLY has the cycle to work initiative been rocketing in popularity (BikeBiz February 2014), but it is also saving the government in the region of £5.1billion over the past decade and helping prevent 500 deaths a year. The stats have been put together by
the Cycle to Work Alliance using the World Health Organisation’s HEAT tool. According to a survey, both
employees and employers are attracted to the health improvements the scheme is able to achieve. 85 per cent of users have noticed a health benefit as a result of participating in the scheme, ranging from increased fitness levels and improved lung capacity to reduced stress levels. The desire to stay fit was an important consideration in 89 per cent of individuals’ decision to join the scheme. Mark Brown, head of B2B Services for
Evans Cycles and member of the Cycle to Work Alliance, said: “Improving commuters’ health has always been a
6 BIKEBIZ MARCH
central benefit of the cycle to work scheme. This new research helps to quantify this benefit, and shows that both employers and employees are noticing its positive impact. Importantly, it also shows how the scheme is having a tangible impact on health budgets. With the NHS facing constrained finances as the population ages, the Cycle to Work Scheme is one of the few policy levers that is helping the health service alleviate this pressure.” Increasing levels of physical activity is vital in attempts to reduce the threats posed by a variety of conditions, including coronary heart disease, type-2 diabetes, or bowel cancer. However, with 28.5 per cent of adults in England failing to undertake at least 30 minutes exercise a week and physical inactivity costing the NHS in the region of £1bn a year, encouraging greater numbers of individuals to lead more active lifestyles is critical.
www.cycletoworkalliance.org.uk
BIKEBIZ.COM
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