British Cycling celebrates 50th anniversary

British Cycling celebrates its 50-year anniversary this year with a number of activities to fête the occasion.

The celebrations from the governing body of cycling in Britain will culminate with a 50th anniversary gala in February of next year, an event incorporating BC’s annual awards dinner.

The gala will be dedicated to ‘cycling champions’ in the organisation’s fiftieth year, bringing together staff, riders, volunteers, partners, sponsors, cycling ambassadors and other key figures in the sport.

“Our 50th anniversary is an ideal opportunity to express our gratitude to all the people in our sport for their fantastic contribution over the past five decades,” commented BC’s CEO, Ian Drake.

“It is thanks to our members that we are transforming Britain into the number one cycling nation in the world and it is through our members that we will continue to work towards making cycling Britain’s most popular sport.”

In the meantime, BC will create a Hall of Fame and will officially welcome 50 individuals from the sport in way of recognition of their contribution to cycling over the past five decades.

Names will be released over the autumn months and members of the public will be invited to nominate their candidates.

Soon to be launched is 50th Anniversary Online, a mini-site on BC’s website devoted to the organisation’s history and a history of the sport as a whole.

Long-standing BC members will be encouraged to make contributions to bring to life historic cycling moments over the past 50 years.

“Our sport only happens thanks to individuals willing to give up their own time to help others enjoy cycling, whatever their ability, motivation or goals, and for this reason we will be making a special effort to recognise volunteers in our sport,” added BC President, Brian Cookson.

“We would not be where we are today without the forward looking individuals at the British League of Racing Cyclists and the National Cyclists Union who laid solid foundations for our organisation, so we will also be remembering them this year.”