Regulations and police threaten British cycling

8.36.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 10th Apr 2010

Road racing in Britain is facing a crisis because of excessive regulation and over-zealous policing. Anyone organising a road race has to notify the police well in advance, submit to any conditions they put on the race, and pay them.

Because of the cost and the severity of the conditions imposed many road races are simply dropping off the calendar. This is despite the general popularity of the sport and the phenomenal success of British cyclists in recent years. As usual the government is inconsistent - it says it wants us to take more exercise and get involved in sport but also has policies which discourage sporting activities.

British Cycling is running a campaign to keep cycle racing on the road. They say, "Over the past 10 years the number of club level road races has halved as race organisers, most of whom are volunteers, struggle with archaic legislation. Under regulations that are now 50 years old, police authorities are able to impose whatever conditions they wish on race organisers. Increasingly clubs are faced with difficult negotiations, large policing bills and the effective prohibition of cycle road races. This effects not only our ability to develop world class athletes, but also our ability to inspire the nation to become more active."

For more and to join their Facebook campaign see www.britishcycling.org.uk