British Cycling has confirmed the signing of Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini – who becomes the latest person to join the organisation's growing membership which is closing in on 60,000.

Mancini, who regularly commutes to his workplace at City’s Carrington training ground, toured the National Cycling Centre on Thursday, meeting performance director Dave Brailsford and riders on the Great Britain Cycling Team.

He said: “I’m pleased to be a member of British Cycling. I cycle a lot in Manchester and it is great to be part of the cycling community. British Cycling gave me a Great Britain jersey on my visit and I look forward to riding in it when I’m out on my bike.”

“I’m pleased to be a member of British Cycling. I cycle a lot in Manchester and it is great to be part of the cycling community."

Roberto Mancini

During his visit to the home of British Cycling, Mancini, took the opportunity to talk about how cycling is a great form of transport and how greater mutual respect on the road can make cycling safer, ahead of Conservative Party Conference next week.

“I ride my bike about three or four times a week on my way to training and I really enjoy it, it’s a great form of transport,” Mancini said.

“It’s important that cycling becomes part of the traffic to keep everyone safe. When they are not winning gold medals, I know British Cycling are working to improve conditions for cyclists.”

Since Bradley Wiggins won the Tour de France, 9,000 members have joined British Cycling.