British Cycling aims to get one million more women riding bikes by 2020

British Cycling is launching a bid to get one million more women riding bikes by 2020 as it looks to tackle a gender imbalance within the sport.

The gender imbalance stretches beyond women riding bikes, though. A recent audit by the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation found that British Cycling was one of only six out of 57 governing bodies that does not have any female board members. The problem has also extended to professional cycling in the past, with British women winning only one Olympic medal before 2008 and females not being given the same number of Olympic events as men until last year's 2012 Games in London.

Role models

British riders have capitalised on the gradual increase in opportunity by winning five medals at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012. James, who missed out on London 2012 but catapulted herself into the sporting mainstream by winning four medals at last month's World Track Cycling Championships in Minsk, hopes those achievements can act as an inspiration to grassroots riders. She said: "The performances of our female riders at Beijing and in London have already made a difference, now we just need to see more women doing everyday cycling and enjoying our amazing sport for all that it has to offer." Ms Miller added: "Such an ambitious approach is welcome as it is going to encourage people to lead more active lives and to get involved in sport." British Cycling has previously established Breeze, a scheme that aims to get more women cycling by offering female-only rides led by trained guides.