Sport England has launched a guide to the design of cycling facilities in conjunction with British Cycling.

The guide covers the design and planning of facilities for all the cycling disciplines embraced by British Cycling including cycle racing racks and velodromes; closed road racing circuits; BMX race tracks; mountain bike courses and trails; cycle sport for disable people and road racing and time trials.

Sport England says that while there will continue to be the need for access to roads and rights of way, purpose-built facilities will be of increasing importance in the development of cycling. “These could be specialist sites such as a Velodrome or they could be multi-use sites catering for a variety of disciplines.

“Schools, in particular, offer a tremendous opportunity for low cost off-road perimeter circuits, BMX tacks, cycle speedway and grass tracks where children can learn the skills and gain experience in a safe environment.”

The guide complements the earlier Facilities Strategy for Cycle Sport in England produced in 1999 by the then British Cycling Federation and Sport England.

Roger Draper, chief executive of Sport England, said: “As roads become more of a challenge for cyclists to share with other road users, the future of the sport will depend on the provision of high quality off-road facilities.

“We have worked closely with British Cycling to produce this guide which will be valuable to anyone planning a cycling facility and we hope will help ensure the right facilities are provided in the right place at the right time.” To order a copy of Cycle Sports Facilities – Design Guide e-mail [email protected]