We’ve won! Cycling UK scoops prestigious BikeBiz award

Just prior to the Christmas holidays, we happily reported that we were finalists in the BikeBiz Awards 2017, in the category for Cycling Advocacy Achievement.

We are very pleased to share the news that we won the award, fending off stiff competition from Sustrans, BikeWorks, Brake, CycleScheme, and London Cycling Campaign.

A panel of experts from across the cycling industry judged the nominations and clearly liked the look of our submission showcasing three high-impact initiatives – Trails for Wales, the Big Bike Revival and Bike Week. As BikeBiz’s chosen charity partner, we also had the pleasure of handing out the ‘Bike Brand of the Year’ award, which went to Boardman Bikes.

David Murray, Head of Communications and Campaigns at Cycling UK, said of the accolade: “To have the cycling industry so positively recognise and celebrate our advocacy work is fantastic. For 139 years we have championed a simple belief – that cycling should be a fun, convenient and accessible form of transport.

“With the Big Bike Revival helping to bring tens of thousands of bikes back into use, Bike Week giving people a helpful nudge into making more regular use of cycling for day-to-day travel, and our Trails for Wales campaign illustrating how effective lobbying can create a positive tipping point in favour of greater cycling opportunities for a healthier, happier nation, we are proud to have accepted this award.”

To have the cycling industry so positively recognise and celebrate our advocacy work is fantastic. For 139 years we have championed a simple belief – that cycling should be a fun, convenient and accessible form of transport.

David Murray, Head of Communications and Campaigns at Cycling UK

David continued: “Just this week we saw Welsh Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, make a positive announcement about how outdoor recreation makes a significant contribution to the economy and provides considerable health and social benefits.

“This positive response noted there were over 5,000 responses from the public in favour of greater access for cycling in the countryside in Wales – some 4,000 of those came about because of Cycling UK's campaign to support the Welsh Government's progressive proposals to relax Rights of Way rules. The message to Cycling UK and to all advocacy organisations is clear: be positive, make persuasive arguments, and keep pressing for change. It can and does make a difference.”

The London Bike Show is the UK’s largest cycling exhibition.