Inspired by the excitement surrounding the British cycling success at the London 2012 Olympics, keen amateur cyclist Carl Thompson says the idea of taking track cycling to a wider public was one which wouldn’t go away.

After securing £40,000 from an angel investor, Thompson set about making his dream a reality. By September 2013, a prototype had been designed which could fit into a high street, offering banked turns which can be ridden without braking, and a variable track length. At the shallow end it’s easy, but the higher up the curve you go the bigger the thrills and the increased likelihood of spills. The experience offers a shot of adrenaline and is very addictive.

But the track on its own wasn’t enough. Thompson wanted to create a memorable event to support it: “It had to be enough to capture keen cyclists, have entertainment value and encourage people to be active, wrapped up with enough entertainment to draw a crowd and attract host partners and sponsors.”

Finally, he wanted the event to inspire behaviour change, so people would dig forgotten bikes out of sheds and children would ask for bikes for Christmas.

As part of his research, Thompson went to local authorities who had hosted cycling series previously, such as Tour of Britain, and asked them what they looked for in a cycling event.

“They all want community engagement, to be free to the public, flexibility and PR support,” he says.

Street Velodrome is a concept which ticks all of the boxes. The three day format (see box) ensures the opportunity for outreach work and it is free thanks to the creation of income streams such as sponsorship, advertising, retail, and a TV series to be aired on BIKE channel and BT Sport. Hosts also pay a fee and the model is being franchised overseas, with the US recently confirmed.

The pro competition is the hook and the entertainment to deliver the wider vision of making cycling accessible and to energise the grassroots. The 12 pro-riders take part in an elite competition at each event and coach the public.

“It includes pursuit racing, because that gets the audiences: the races are close, it’s quick and punchy and the tight corners are exciting,” says Thompson. “We make a touchpoint between grassroots and pro-riders. Mountain biker Jess Stone teaches kids and then they come back and watch her race. It’s about creating exciting moments which inspire for the future.”