16.9% of adults in the UK are cyclists, with the average rider cycling 48.9 times in the past year, claim sports research company Sports Marketing Surveys Inc.

And in even better news, 39% of those cyclists are women. Considering women account for nearly 51% of the population of the UK, we still have a long way to go before uptake is equal between the genders – but this is certainly a good start.

According to the data there are 8,741,000 cyclists in the UK, with one fifth of those riding at least once per week.

Cycling is therefore the third most participated-in sport in the country, behind swimming and running.

Another awesome statistic from the study: 22% of under 18s in the UK are cyclists. Good job, young people.

If you want to help improve cycling infrastructure in the UK for all of these budding riders, check out donating to Sustrans.