Making a tangible impact on the sport’s future, The Rapha Foundation’s latest grantee shares our passion for making cycling more accessible. British Cycling aims to increase participation in under-represented groups through their new City Academy Hubs, striving to sustainably change the face of cycling.
At Rapha, our simple goal is to make cycling the most popular sport in the world. With this in mind, the Rapha Foundation launched in 2019 to empower and support the next generation of racers, ensuring that the sport we love continues to grow. While the foundation’s roster of over 15 grantees are based in almost every corner of the globe, our latest grantee will be doing valuable work right here in our hometown, trialling a transformative project in a London community.
Establishing City Academies is a three-year pilot project aiming to increase participation by marginalised groups and communities in the sport. The first City Academy Hub is set to launch in London, with a view to expand the project across Britain.
Each City Hub will aim to represent the community in which they are based, from both a rider and a workforce perspective, with the hopes of creating a more inclusive sporting culture. Bringing in-person cycling inspiration and motivation to the heart of communities, the project will play an important role in promoting diversity and inclusivity in cycling, giving underserved riders an opportunity to progress. The participating young riders will get to develop their skills through quality coaching that’s both constructive and, more importantly, fun.
British Cycling’s first Hubs launched in Hackney and Newham this September. Members of the community have already seen the new City Hub in Newham in action, speaking to the coaches and young people involved. Stay tuned for updates on the City Academy Hubs and the people the project is reaching.
“For the true potential of pedal power to be realised, it must be accessible to all. As a brand with British roots, we’re proud to be able to support organisations here on home soil. The City Academies concept represents a fresh new way of nurturing new cycling talent, who represent the future of British cycling.”
- Simon Mottram, Founder of the Rapha Foundation.
“The British Cycling City Academies project is a key part of our wider strategy to make cycling more inclusive, more diverse and more reflective of our society. By making pathways into participation and competition more accessible, we will be enabling more talented cyclists and potential champions of the future to shine, regardless of their background.”
- Brian Facer, British Cycling CEO.
