Dear British Cycling, Do Better...

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[@lloydgrose]

Some inaccuracies regarding BC they support a number of initiatives across country for go rides , Breeze rides , talent ID talent transfer projects and something I work on the city Academy / City Hub project which helps young people from diverse communities develop a lifelong relationship with the sport by reducing barriers to entry by proving bikes , equipment, qualified coaching , and by introducing pathways into the club network and the development pathway. Might be worth inviting someone from BC to have a more accurate discussion.

[@mikeainsworth4504]

Some observations on your observations on British Cycling. The people enabling grass roots racing are volunteers but they are paid expenses, the training of officials and marshals etc, the cost of medical cover, and equipment such as the radios linking officials, to safety staff and convoy cars need to be funded. Outside of racing BC also provide liability insurance cover of officials of affiliated cycling clubs. BC also enable grass roots recreational cycling through their Let’s Ride and Breeze Programmes. I would suggest that grass routes cycling is not racing; but, in recreational cycling. I perceive that many more people cycle for leisure and personal fitness than do for sport. In that area there is another organisation that duplicates much of BC’s work, Cycling UK. I agree that BC appears very bureaucratic (and I’m a member as well as a volunteer Ride Leader for their Let’s Ride programme) it is not the most ‘user friendly’ organisation out there. Like many big organisations it appears as if it gets wrapped around its own processes rather than focus on what it should be delivering.

[@ridethelakes]

Lots of good points there but a few inaccuracies. As a ride leader either you or your club will have paid for this course, BC don't pay for coaching courses, first aid, convoy cars, radios either this is all the race organisers. Occasionally pots of money do become available for various events or courses but on the whole they are self funded by race organisers. BC do find training for commissaire and accredited race marshalls but the vast majority of marshalls have no training and are just volunteers on the day (which is perfectly adequate, not saying this is an issue). I would include local racing as grass roots and BC bleed grass roots racing dry. I used to organise youth circuit races and BC take out levies, booking fees, organiser fees. I added up a total of £400 that BC took out of one race. And that's not including the fact that every rider has paid a membership. It's not good value for money and it's making the sport even more elitist than it already is

[@mikeainsworth4504]

@@ridethelakes whilst I paid for my own Ride Leader training, BC do fund training for Ride Leaders (including first aid training) who deliver activities under their Let’s Ride and Breeze programmes - which are free for participants. These appear to be completely independent of the club scene with a huge seam between BC’s community and sports sides (with the latter dealing with clubs). I found that this leads to a huge amount of confusion and duplication of effort. Where I live we try to ensure that the Let’s Ride programme compliments our local cycling club rather than compete with it. Add to this Cycling UK there appears to be an awful lot of bureaucracy over, and not a lot of support for, those trying to help people enjoy cycling recreationally and/or competitively.

[@livibam]

I don’t race as I refuse to pay British Cycling.. it’s a piss take. I have my own bike insurance that covers me for all liability, damage, theft etc

[@bee_whisper]

I haven't raced in a while because it feels so gatekept and for the money there aren't that many events other than the same crit tracks each week... TT and hill climbs are way more friendly

[@alexharbron]

Ah ha! So I'm not the only one that hates BC. I also fell out with them when I started racing back in the noughties. I just didn't feel I was getting any value.

[@chrislawrence8985]

Obviously, im not sure you truly understand what BC really do, and how all grass roots sport is proped up by volunteers, no matter what sport