British Cycling is pleased to share the 2024-2025 impact report for our sustainable events fund – Accelerate.

Smart solutions see over 510KG of waste recycled and 10,260L of water saved in year one of accelerate fund.

Across the 23 projects supported by British Cycling in year one, 1,000kWh of renewable energy has been created, 60kg of waste has been eliminated, and 550 native trees have been planted, as the fund enabled more clubs across the country to champion sustainability through innovation.

Accelerate, British Cycling’s Sustainable Events Fund, is a grant scheme that empowers communities to cut the environmental impact of cycling events and lead the way in more sustainable practices.

Grants of up to £ 4,500 were made available to event organisers, clubs, and groups to help reduce the environmental impact of hosting cycling events. On top of this, a £1,000 grant incentive was awarded to the applicant who demonstrates the greatest reduction of carbon emissions, to empower clubs, groups, and events to adopt sustainable practices.  

Clubs, groups and organisations looked to implement sustainable practices in a range of different ways, each tailored to their own needs, abilities and scope. Many are small and simple changes that can be used as inspiration across Britain.

Circular Economy.

510.5kWh of waste has been recycled, which would have otherwise gone to landfill, or the equivalent of 1701.1 bike helmets

Cycling Club Hackney encourage and develop riders from the community, dedicated to promoting cycling for all levels and ages across a number of disciplines.  

The club applied for the Accelerate grant to purchase 25 rolls of mesh barrier tape and 10 packs of reusable zip ties. Previously, they used plastic barrier tape, with between 4 and 20 plastic rolls of tape being used per cyclocross event, varying on the length of the course, which then ended up in landfill.

Now, the new tape they use at their events is durable and reusable, with Cycling Club Hackney predicting it can last five to ten years. A predicted 90kg of plastic waste will be saved from landfill by making a simple yet efficient switch

Clean Energy

12.88t of greenhouse gas emissions offset, or the equivalent of driving Land’s End to John O’Groats 23.34 times in a petrol car.

Newcastle Track Cycling Association are based at Lyme Valley Stadium in Staffordshire. There, the Brooks Cycles Track League hosts popular sprint and endurance track cycling events every Thursday throughout the summer.

The organisation used their grant to purchase a new electric derny, replacing their previous 30 year old petrol model, which required frequent repairs and maintenance, producing fumes which not only harmed the planet but also harmed participants.  

Not only has the switch to electric saved time, money and effort, but derny riders and participants say they now prefer the electric model, feeling safer while riding and keeping a more consistent pace.  

44.93kg of CO2 have been saved already by switching to electric, as the club feel the environmental benefits of the switch, as well as practical benefits.  

Newcastle Track Association said: “This electric derny has been a game changer at the track as it has enhanced the experience of a clean emissions-free environment at the velodrome. Riding the electric derny is so good for pacing, as derny riders have commented how easy it is to maintain the required pace and how easy it is to ride. We are so grateful as an association for the grant that was received to allow us the use of such a bike.”

Water Conservation and Protection.

10,260l of water saved and 5,499l of rainwater recycled, or the equivalent of 20,880 740ml bottles

Dreigiau Coed Y Brenin are a family mountain biking club in Snowdonia, run entirely by volunteers and host sessions for riders of all ages.  

Using the Accelerate fund, the club utilised their existing solar panels to power jet washers on site. By installing a dedicated bike cleaning area, they were able to not only use renewable energy but also harvest rainwater to supply the washers with the power of nature.  

Having a dedicated space like this for the club also discouraged participants from using their own personal washers so they could conserve water, as well as prevent the spread of soil-born tree diseases and soil erosion. This solution not only supports the environment but also enhances the overall experience for the club members.

Having a dedicated space for power washing helps promote a greater sense of community and enables more people to engage in the activity by knowing facilities are available on site.

The club alone have been able to save 400 litres of water in the past year through this simple and effective change in process.  

Dreigiau Coed Y Brenin, said:  “We had well over 80 people racing, the most participants we’ve had in a long time and thanks to British Cycling, we can now wash our bikes using the power of nature.”

Biodiversity and Nature.

550 native trees planted, 714 sheets of paper saved and 10,230

Solent Pirates Youth Cycling Club are a youth cycling racing club based along the south coast, focused solely on inspiring young cyclists across a range of disciplines. The club received the £1000 ‘Innovate’ grant for showing creativity and inspiration in their initiative.  

The club were already making great strides in environmental sustainability by planting a tree for every event winner. Thanks to the Accelerate Fund, they’ve been able to dramatically scale up this offer by planting an estimated 550 native trees.  

By securing the Innovate Grant, the club have now been able to go beyond tree planting, and drive circularity in cycling. 80 scaffolding boards have been repurposed into new mountain bike features, new well drilling and wash stations have been installed, and the club is now working to upcycle excess rock from the Southsea sea defence project into new mountain bike features.  

Think Beyond, a sustainability and social impact consultancy, was commissioned to develop a framework to measure the impact of the Accelerate fund.  

Following the success of the Sustainable Events Fund, this year British Cycling have since almost doubled our investment, with support from Shell UK, to empower national event organisers and grassroots cycling clubs to reduce the environmental footprint of cycling events across the country and help engage our communities on collective action.

Jon Dutton, British Cycling Chief Executive Officer, said: “Smart sustainable practices can go a long way in securing the future of cycling for generations to come. As we continue our journey to net zero, our communities – from Aberdeen to Plymouth – are showing us how it’s done, with remarkable creativity and innovation. It’s with great joy that we can share their stories and the positive impact they’ve achieved. With Shell UK’s support, we’re proud to extend and grow the Accelerate fund - backing more communities, more projects, and more clubs to cut waste and shrink the environmental footprint of cycling events across Britain.”

Parminder Kohli, Shell UK Country Chair, said: “Once again, this partnership demonstrates the positive impact that cycling can have on people’s lives. We’ve always said, ours is a partnership rooted in action. Now, through Shell UK’s continued funding, we’re helping British Cycling support even more brilliant initiatives. They are helping sporting events become as sustainable as they can be in the long term. This is part of Shell UK’s wider work to support British Cycling and the Great Britain Cycling Team’s cyclists and para-cyclists through the sharing of technology and innovation, widening access to cycling, and accelerating decarbonisation efforts.”