The British Heart Foundation (BHF) wants to encourage more people to get back on their bikes by everyone taking part in the London to Brighton Bike Ride, and help join the fight against heart disease.
Elizabeth Tack, event leader for London to Brighton Bike Ride, said: “It’s surprising to learn that whilst there is a clear appetite for cycling in the UK, there is still a vast amount of us who are not getting on our bikes often enough, or even at all.
40-Years Strong
“We can provide all the support you need to get you back in the saddle this year, with free training guides and advice available for all registered cyclists in the run up to the big day.”
The BHF’s London to Brighton Bike Ride has run for more than 40 years and is Europe’s oldest charity cycling event.
According to the charity organisation the BHF and their new up to date survey show the average East Midlands residents have not cycled in nine and-a-half years, with more than one in five – 23% – having avoided cycling for more than ten years.
Forgotten Riders
The BHF is urging residents to participate in the sport by singing up to the iconic London to Brighton Bike Ride, taking place June 2017, to raise money for life saving heart research.
Even though cycling is one of the nation’s favourite sports, the survey of 2,000 UK residents revealed that 6.3 million people – one in eight – still don’t know how to ride a bicycle.
The BHF survey also revealed that the average UK household owns just one bike between them, but 41% of households don’t own a bike. However, the most surprising statistic from the survey was one in 20 people admit it has been so long since they’ve ridden a bike that they have forgotten how to do so.