- Sofa to Saddle – British Cycling and Lloyds’ answer to Couch to 5K – is an accessible eight-week programme, backed by health experts, with an ambition to get one million more people pedalling by 2028
- New research shows nearly half of the British public (49%) spend over 18 hours on the sofa per week
- 70% of people want to be more active, with 37% of people who cycle at least once a week saying they are happier than those who do less
- Former rugby union player Joe Marler, together with British Cycling and Lloyds, kick off the campaign by riding around Manchester on his very own custom Sofa Bike, encouraging the nation to get moving
British Cycling, in partnership with Lloyds, has launched Sofa to Saddle, a brand new, free to use app to help inspire and enable the nation to get on their bikes.
New YouGov research has found that the average Briton now clocks up over 18 hours of sofa time per week. Yet, the research reveals a massive desire for change: 70% of the public openly admit they think they should exercise more, but are held back by practical hurdles, with over a third (34%) explicitly stating they simply do not have enough time to cycle.
Sofa to Saddle aims to bridge the gap by supporting the average Briton to trade their weekly sofa hours for a casual bike ride. The data shows that even small amounts of cycling pay massive dividends: British Cycling find regular weekly riders are 37% more likely to feel good about themselves, with 79% finding that cycling clears their head and 58% reporting they feel significantly calmer and more relaxed.
To support this shift, the free app – developed with Elixirr – meets users exactly where they are, offering a structured, 8-week plan designed to tackle the most common barriers that prevent people from getting on a bike – including safety, intimidation, access to bikes and not knowing how to get started. Complete with milestone rewards, basic bike care tips, and step-by-step route support from health professionals and Great Britain Cycling Team specialists, Sofa to Saddle will combat these obstacles by teaching people new skills and celebrating their achievements, supporting every turn of their pedals to help them transition smoothly from the living room to the local lane.
Sofa to Saddle aims to get a million more people on bikes by 2028, helping make cycling possible for everyone. British Cycling research found 30 million people in the UK cycled at least once in the past year – four million more than in 2022. With research showing cycling in the UK saves £72.7 million to the NHS, finding new ways to help get more people cycling has the potential to bring huge social and economic impact to people’s lives.
Now in its third year, the long-term partnership between Lloyds and British Cycling continues to champion a shared ambition: to help more people of all ages and abilities access cycling and to inspire a healthier, more inclusive Britain.
Kicking off the campaign and app launch, Joe Marler was spotted riding his very own custom sofa bike around Manchester, the home of British Cycling, to prove how easy it can be to go from sofa to saddle. He said of the campaign: “”I’ll be the first to admit that my sofa is my absolute happy place, but spending over 18 hours a week on it is a lot, even for me. We aren’t asking people to change their lives overnight or take on some gruelling fitness regime. Sofa to Saddle is about lowering the stakes and simply trading just one or two of those weekly sofa hours for a bike ride.
“Personally, I’ve always used riding as a way to clear my head when the noise gets a bit too much, or just to have a proper laugh going on weekend rides with the family. Taking the custom sofa bike for a spin around Manchester was fun, but the message behind it is serious: getting out on two wheels is one of the simplest was to make your day better. Let’s get riding, Britain.”
Mary, from Edinburgh, rediscovered her love for cycling later in life after retiring, getting on a bike for the first time after a 50-year break. Now a regular rider, she’s gone on her own personal ‘sofa to saddle’ journey, and isn’t looking back.
“For me, the joy of cycling is that it doesn’t feel like exercise for exercise’s sake. You’re exploring new places, spending time outdoors and enjoying yourself at the same time.”
“I’d say to anyone thinking about getting back on a bike: don’t wait. Give it a go, even if it’s just for half an hour. Once you do, you realise how much fun it is and how many places cycling can take you.”
Darren Henry, Managing Director of British Cycling Ventures said: “Sofa to Saddle is an accessible and innovative eight-week programme which will bring real-time change in not only the perception of cycling, but the numbers of people regularly cycling in Britain and the benefits to the nation’s health and fitness.
“By working with our title partner Lloyds, and Elixirr who developed the app, we have collaborated to develop a fun and engaging programme which can provide communities across the country with real benefits to society and encourage more people than ever to live healthier and happier lives. People often describe physical activity as the perfect way for people to improve their mental and physical health, and cycling is no different.
“Our research highlights that the appetite to get on a bike is there, and Sofa to Saddle is part of the solution. It is proven to make people feel better about themselves. Now, we have a way to support and enable people to take those first steps in ways which work for them.”
Jon Lane, Head of Brand Partnerships, Lloyds said: “Sofa to Saddle is the latest initiative we’re proud to be delivering with British Cycling. We know cycling can have a positive impact on both physical and mental wellbeing, and this new app has been designed to help break down some of the barriers that prevent people from cycling.”
Download the Sofa to Saddle app – available on Android and iOS.
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*British Cycling research is taken from the British Cycling Winter Market Tracker (March 2026)
**Research is taken from the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (2026) https://www.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk/the-walking-and-cycling-index/
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 4317 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 22nd – 25th May 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
About British Cycling
British Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling in Great Britain. We govern and develop the sport from grassroots participation through to supporting the riders representing Great Britain on the international stage.
Our purpose is to bring the joy of cycling to everyone, and we’re fulfilling this by building on the elite success of the Great Britain Cycling Team and enabling more people to discover the joys of our sport. Our 145,000 members, over 2,000 affiliated clubs, and 12,500 volunteers are at the heart of what we do and the impact we achieve.
For more information, visit www.britishcycling.org.uk.
About Lloyds
Lloyds is part of Lloyds Banking Group, the largest UK retail and commercial financial services provider. The Group’s main business activities include retail and commercial banking, general insurance and long-term savings, provided through a range of trusted, household brands.
