British Cycling has today launched a report detailing the work it has undertaken over the last two years to ensure that the future of domestic cycling is safeguarded.

Due to the unprecedented recent rise in the popularity of cycle sport, the sport’s governing body has significantly invested in improving risk management to ensure that procedures and systems needed to assess events and facilities are robust, and to deliver education programmes to riders, volunteers and event organisers.

The result of this work: Protecting growth and supporting the sport is published today.

 British Cycling’s cycle sport and membership director, Jonny Clay, said: “Cycle sport in this country is truly in its best shape ever.

"However, an increase in popularity brings with it a need to ensure that the safety and quality of events is at a suitable standard.

"Risk can never be eliminated completely but if we want our sport to continue to grow, then we need to continue to strengthen the support given to everyone involved.

“It isn’t purely a case of ensuring that there are frameworks, rules and regulations in place – it is about balancing the benefits and risks so that the sport remains engaging, exciting and competitive.

"The next decade presents the sport with even more opportunities to flourish and we are in a good place to ensure that we are making the most of its continuing popularity.”

The key areas of progress detailed in the report include:

• Rider education – Videos for Racesmart, British Cycling’s awareness campaign, have been viewed more than 1.4 million times;
• Supporting officials – British Cycling has worked with The Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to produce several online courses;
• Supporting event organisers – New risk assessment forms have been produced for road racing events and are now used as standard;
• Facilities and courses – A comprehensive review of all tracks across England, Wales and Scotland has been completed. The majority of circuits and open road courses have also been assessed.

Nathan Davies, of RoSPA, added: “The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has been impressed with the proportionate and balanced risk management process and the risk management tools that British Cycling has developed over the past 18 months.

 “The British Cycling risk management approach has clearly been designed to support and encourage participation and enable the inherent risks to be managed in a positive way.

"We are positive that the actions undertaken have delivered - and will continue to deliver - improvements in safety standards and a better riding experience for participants.”