Utility cycling encompasses any cycling undertaken as a means of transport as opposed to as a sport or leisure activity. It includes commuting to work, school or university; cycling as a means of transport; and economic activity such as the delivery of goods and services. In 2020 it was found that approximately 6.7 percent of respondents stated that they go cycling for travel purposes at least once per month with 2.3 percent reporting that they go cycling for travel purposes at least 3 times per week.
In contrast recreational cycling involves cycling as a means of sport or leisure activity. Although the distribution of the population that engage within both recreational and utility cycling expresses significant age dependent variation, recreational cycling remains the most prevalent form of cycling within the English population.
British Cycling is the main national governing body for cycle sport in Great Britain. With, expenses of approximately 33.5 million British pounds in 2020, British Cycling works across all levels and six disciplines of the sport, including BMX, Mountain Bike, Cyclo-cross, Road, Track, and Cycle Speedway. It represents Britain at the world body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and selects national teams, including the hugely successful Great Britain (GB) Cycling Team for both national and international races.
