Cycling UK Survey Shows 70% Want More Cycle-Friendly Routes
Similarly, 64% of respondents wanted other people to cycle more, with only 9% against.
Benefits of Cycling
The three biggest benefits of cycling highlighted by the survey answers were:
- physical health (60%)
- fitness (50%) and
- mental health (38%)
What Stops People Cycling?
The survey found that while 92% of those who answered the survey questions could ride a bike, less than 50% said they actually do.
Road safety is the main reason people don’t cycle, identified by 48% of respondents.
Sarah Mitchell, Chief Executive
Chief Executive of Cycling UK Sarah Mitchell said:
‘In the latter stages of the previous government, we saw the conversation around cycling become increasingly divided.
Too many politicians and commentators were attempting to co-opt cycling as part of the culture wars, by driving a wedge between people who drive and people who cycle.
With the new Culture Secretary announcing an end to the era of culture wars, we are hopeful that this kind of divisive rhetoric will be put to bed once and for all.
We encourage and support debate, but we need to actively encourage this to be evidence-led and with civility at its heart.
There is a clear desire from the UK to build better cycle infrastructure and get more wheels on the road. People overwhelmingly want to get around their communities without waiting in traffic for who knows how long or having to pay to put petrol in the tank, when it would be cheaper and quicker to go by bike or foot.
Cycle lanes are cheap to build, reduce emissions, improve public health and lead to less congestion. The public recognise the benefits of cycling and are desperate to enjoy them.
With political backing and funding, we can make that future a reality’.
10% of the Transport Budget
Cycling UK wants the new government to prioritise cycling and walking.
The organisation is asking for 10% of the transport budget to be spent on active travel, reflecting the suggestion in the IPPR’s Stride and Ride report. That would amount to about £50 per head per year.
Cycling UK says that local authorities need the security of long-term funding to have the confidence to develop and deliver ambitious active travel networks.