Cycling in the United Kingdom

Cycling in the United Kingdom has a long history, since the earliest days of the bicycle, and after a decline in the mid-20th century has been undergoing a resurgence in recent decades.

[6] In 2020, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new funding for active travel infrastructure in England outside London.

In July 2020, the Department for Transport published Gear Change: A bold vision for cycling and walking.

The plan accompanies £2 billion in additional funding over the following five years for cycling and walking announced in May 2020.

[6] Standards for cycle infrastructure have gradually evolved over time to require better segregation and wider lanes for safety reasons.

The most recent nationwide cycle design guidance for England is Local Transport Note 1/20, released in July 2020.

Highways England have their own guidance for trunk road called CD 195 which was based on IAN 195/16 originally issued in October 2016.

It uses dedicated bike paths as well as roads with minimal traffic, and covers 14,000 miles (23,000 kilometres), passing within 1 mi (2 km) of half of all homes.

The 21st century has seen a dramatic increase in the performance of British cyclists at the top levels of international cycling.

Great Britain dominated the medal tables in cycling at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics, while riders such as Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome have recorded multiple wins in professional road races such as the Tour de France.

Well-known regular events amateur and leisure cyclists include RideLondon and the Dunwich Dynamo.

[12] Other than these restrictions, cyclists can use any public highway in the United Kingdom, such as A roads (including dual carriageways).

[14] Cycling with a passenger on the saddle, also known as giving a backie, was made illegal by section 24 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.