Lee Valley marks a decade of cycling legacy

It’s been 10 years since Lee Valley VeloPark opened its doors to the public following the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

During the past decade the community-centred venue, owned by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, has transformed cycling opportunities across the region, welcoming millions of visitors, delivering a program aimed at fulfilling its legacy promise to broaden participation in cycling.

Swiftly transformed post-Games into Lee Valley VeloPark, over the past 10 years 750,000 people have cycled at this inclusive cycling destination, and the only place in the world to offer four Olympic cycling disciplines – track in the award-winning velodrome; BMX on a remodelled Olympic track; miles of challenging mountain bike trails; and a one-mile floodlit road circuit- in one place.

Accessibility and community enablement

The past decade has seen riders of all backgrounds and abilities following in the tracks of the stars of London 2012.

90% of the programme is reserved for communities, schools and clubs and a range of funded schemes break down barriers for disadvantaged, disability and community groups, including a British Cycling programme designed to tackle inequality in cycling and increase diversity in their talent pathway.

A venue for global events

Major events are part of Lee Valley VeloPark’s DNA and over the past 10 years, this stellar venue has hosted 18 international competitions, giving away 5,800 tickets to community groups, introducing wider audiences to the thrills of live cycling contests and inspiring future generations.

Lee Valley VeloPark is the only venue in the world to have held an Olympics, Paralympics, World Championship and Commonwealth Games in the same sport.

Shaun Dawson, chief executive, of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority: “This is a moment to be extremely proud. Our vision was to deliver world-class sports venues which could be accessed by the entire community, broadening participation in a range of sports pre-dated the Games.

“From hosting international events to breaking down barriers through funded schemes, Lee Valley VeloPark remains dedicated to inspiring the next generation of riders and maintaining its legacy as a hub for inclusive cycling.”

Join the tenth-anniversary venue celebrations

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority’s commitment to broadening participation in cycling continues with a Community Open Day on Saturday 6 April, inviting visitors to celebrate the venue’s tenth anniversary with a range of cycling activities at heavily discounted prices.

Later this summer Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, dubbed the “Wembley of English Hockey”, will also celebrate 10 years since re-opening to the public with the return of the prestigious international FIH Hockey Pro League on 1 and 2 June. The centre will also host its own Community Open Day on Sunday 23 June, with a range of sessions in both hockey and tennis.

This milestone year for Lee Valley, coinciding with the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games also includes activities at Lee Valley White Water Centre.

Dawson adds: “As a legacy partner from the very beginning we ensured our three legacy venues were built for legacy and would be community-focused but commercially-driven venues that would be viable and sustainable far into the future.

“Over 13 million people have visited our three legacy venues since the 2012 Games and we have delivered funded programmes for 24,000 people from disadvantaged groups.

“Our community-focused venues and ongoing funding for community programmes remain at the heart of our commitment to deliver an enduring legacy from London 2012.”