British Cycling has launched a free app in an effort to get people off their sofa and onto bikes.
The national governing body has set a goal of getting a million more people on bikes by using the app by 2028.
The app aims to inspire the 70% of the British public that, according to BC’s research, say they feel they should exercise more.
Sofa to Saddle will offer users an eight-week plan designed to help them overcome common barrier to riding such as – safety knowledge, intimidation and access to bikes.
The app will include milestone rewards, basic bike care tips and step-by-step route planning support provided by professionals including Great Britain Cycling Team staff.
British Cycling said it finds regular weekly riders, even those that do small rides, are 37% more likely to feel good about themselves and 58% report they feel significantly calmer and more relaxed.
Tracy Power, managing director of the British Cycling Foundation, said: “Our research highlights that the appetite to get on a bike is there, and it's proven to make people feel better about themselves. Now, we have a way to support and enable people to take those first steps in ways which work for them.”
Former England rugby player, podcaster and Celebrity Traitors competitor Joe Marler has been enlisted to promote the app, developed in conjunction with banking giant Lloyds.
He said: “I’ll be the first to admit that my sofa is my absolute happy place, but spending over 18 hours a week on it is a lot, even for me.
“We aren't asking people to change their lives overnight or take on some gruelling fitness regime. Sofa to Saddle is about lowering the stakes and simply trading just one or two of those weekly sofa hours for a bike ride.
He has been posing on a custom “sofa bike” riding around Manchester, British Cycling’s home. He added: “Taking the custom sofa bike for a spin around Manchester was fun, but the message behind it is serious: getting out on two wheels is one of the simplest was to make your day better.”