SportsCover Direct

The Two Wheeled Triumph

Whether the result of a health pursuit or an increased awareness of the impact of our carbon footprint it is not clear, but the popularity of cycling is rising rapidly. Due to the economic decline over the last decade, bicycles are now outselling cars in many countries particularly in Europe. Cycling is the most practised sport in the Czech Republic, second most popular to football, and this is not unusual; Holland, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands are also home to rising numbers of keen cyclists. However the reasons for this cannot just be ascribed to the financial pressures of global recession as the quest for a healthier lifestyle, advanced bike technology, government encouraged cycling schemes and safer road systems are all additional contributory factors.

The promotion of cycling has been highly successful with vast numbers now taking to the pedal as their modal form of transport. Its flexibility and relative inexpensiveness in comparison to the running costs of a car has seen the ‘bike boom’, for example in Groningen, a city in the Netherlands with a population of just under 200,000, there are 375,000 bicycles enabling 50% of all trips made. There has also been expansion in the market for cycling holidays which now caters for most demands, albeit a scenic coastal route along quiet country lanes, or something more extreme, such as mountain biking abroad in the Alps or in Canada. More and more professional tour operators are emerging to compete with specialist cycle touring companies as well as hotel chains that also offer comprehensive cycling packages.

The bike boom however raises questions of personal accident insurance as well as cover for your bike as the top of the range bicycles can now be purchased for up to thousands of pounds and in the UK one bike is stolen every minute! Although not considered to be a dangerous sport, precautions should be taken when cycling particularly as injury can easily be sustained through the carelessness of others. Conversely, it is also acknowledged that cyclists can themselves cause injury to others thus stressing the importance of having a comprehensive insurance policy whether you are a regular cyclist at home or just wanting cover for a 2 week cycling holiday. General travel insurance providers differ with regards to whether they offer personal liability cover related to bicycle use which is why more and more people are turning towards specialist insurance providers with cover geared towards their cycling intentions. No matter which type of cycling you choose to do, SportsCover Direct can offer you a policy tailored to your needs. From road cycling to cycle touring to downhill mountain biking, our policies will cover those insured for medical expenses, repatriation and where required, baggage and personal effects along with various other benefits.

To find out more about cycling insurance at home, follow this link: https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/insurance/cycling_insurance.html/

To find out more about travel insurance for a cycling holiday, follow this link: https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/sports-travel-insurance/