After decades of relative decline, in past few years Britain has witnessed a mini cycling boom. If you look through these cycling statistics – some look more impressive than others. Some cities like London and Darlington have seen growth of 117% and 79% respectively over the past few years. However, when you look at overall distance cycled in the UK, – growth from 4.1bn to 4.5bn km it is hardly an overwhelming change in the importance of cycling in the UK. Compared to many continental neighbours, the UK still lags behind with cycling remaining a minority choice of transport in most cities in the UK.
Nevertheless, small growth is better than no growth. The hope is that this rise in cycling will create a foundation for continued growth.
What has Caused Boom in Cycling?
Growth in London has been helped by:
- Introduction of congestion charge.
- Cycle hire scheme
- Implementation of new cycle lanes
- Raised profile of cycling, e.g. Sky Ride, Mayor of London and other celebrities seen on bikes.
- Bandwagon effect. More cyclists on the roads gives encouragement for others to start.
Cycle Towns
Darlington provides an unlikely success story. The city has made an effort to promote cycling. In particular, Darlington have shown the potential of advertising cycling and taking it to local schools. See: Beauty and the Bike about a project to get young girls back on bikes. Cycle Towns at Dept for Transport
Growth in retail
Despite relatively small growth in distance travelled, the UK has experienced a boom in bike sales. Shops have benefited from trends which has encouraged people to buy more expensive bikes. Part of this growth in bike sales is economic and relates to:
- Rise in price of petrol and cost of motoring
- Recession and squeeze in real living standards. Whilst spending on cars has fallen, spending on bikes has risen.
A big question will be whether this is a temporary trend in response to economic factors. A return to rising living standards could make people return to cars.
However, despite economic factors, there is a sense that cycling is becoming more popular, even chic. Cycling is no longer perceived as the preserve of racers in lycra. There has been a growth in the prominence of utility cycling and leisure cycling.
Growth in off road cycling
When questioned why people don’t cycle, nearly a third respond that they would need to see improvement in the perceived safety of cycling. It is notable that during the boom in cycling, there has been a growth in the % of cyclists who say their main mode of cycling is on cycle paths / off road.
What Could Make a Mini Boom a Real Boom?
Target Growth. Cities who make a real effort to promote cycling see a good response. It is no surprise that the cycle cities saw growth of 27% whilst many other cities outside London, saw stagnant growth. Even Oxford, which has one of highest cycle rates in the country has an indifferent council. Quite recently, Oxford city council had a target of growth for cycling of 0%. Compare that with London, which has quite ambitious targets to double cycling by 2026. If there is no enthusiasm for cycling, there is no hope.
- British towns have a typical £1 per person per year for cycle provision. Dutch towns are spending by contrast £10-£20 [1]
Increased Cost of Motoring. Many people choose cycling based not on fashion but purely utilitarian. If motoring is more expensive / inconvenient, people switch to the alternative. London sought to tackle congestion by introducing a congestion charge for cars. If city centres are designed for cars to drive through and sit in traffic jams, that is what people will do. Small amounts of closing roads to traffic can lead to a real boom in cycling. That is one of the secrets of Amsterdam.
Cycle Lane Provision. For the ordinary person, the quality of cycle lanes and cycle routes makes a big difference. People, unsurprisingly easily get put off by fighting through heavy traffic which is moving quickly. Real traffic calming measures and good quality cycling routes will create an impression that
- See more: How To Increase Cycling.
- Cycle Stats UK
- [1] Dept for Transport ↩
I am returning to cycling after some years of absence from doing various sports with a bike.
what is of concern to me is the disregard or oblivious safety of many cyclist I see on the road.
I am astonished to see so many cyclist cycling with no lights during dusk and at night in the pitch black especially on country roads or roads that are poorly lit. On top of that they are dressed in dark clothing making themselves almost invisible to other road users. I have had many a near miss on a number of occasions when driving and it is not a pleasant feeling.
I think there is a need for regulation of some description for cyclists if they can’t take responsibility for their own safety. Helmets should be compulsory as should lights and appropriate clothing so they can be seen. To me that is basics for ones self safety when on the road.
Cycling styles – why do people pedal with their heels on the pedals surely that can’t be safe, it looks unsightly.
As a car driver and cyclist for many years I think that we can all learn from each other with regard to road safety and respect each others views of how we use the road.
Here’s to safe cycling
Pat
Hi,the book is a based at children but could give and cycling cyclist information , it’s called the hamlyn book of cyclingand its by Claude Kearley and I thnk it was published around ’78.
Emily
Emily, I would love to see that book! Let us all know if you have the author and title.
There is a boom in certain aspects, but as I mention in article:
> However, when you look at overall distance cycled in the UK, – growth from 4.1bn to 4.5bn km it is hardly an overwhelming change in the importance of cycling in the UK. Compared to many continental neighbours, the UK still lags behind with cycling remaining a minority choice of transport in most cities in the UK.
http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/cycling/britains-cycling-boom/
Hi – I normally enjoy your articles, but this one strikes me as a bit too credulous.
Don’t take everything the DfT, TfL, CTC says as gospel!
For more, see:
http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2010/04/cycling-is-booming-in-uk.html
Yes, I’m sure somepeople will be hoping in 30 years time (2040) there will be a real cycling boom, but I expect the dominance of the electric car by then.
Hi , The annoying thing is that I’ve got a cycling book set in the 70′s and in it, it says that the bike will be the only form of transport in thirty years, because of fuel prices and the amount of traffic on the roads.
It’s been over thirty years so where’s all the bikes?
Emily