Following the celebrations of Cycle to Work Day on the 6 August, recent data has revealed that Britain’s commuting habits are changing in the wake of COVID-19. Cycling has now overtaken public transport as a preferred method of commuting to work as people are seeing the health, wellbeing and environmental benefits that getting on a bike can bring.
Research that we commissioned from YouGov, a market research and analytics firm, revealed that people who say they are likely to take up cycling to get to and from work has more than doubled.
While only 6% of adults said they cycled to work before lockdown, when asked which modes of transport commuters would use after lockdown this figure jumped to 13%, making it the third most popular mode of transport behind car at 58% and walking at 26%.
However, too much traffic on the roads and a lack of permanent segregated cycle lanes were the top two issues putting off more people from getting on their bikes.
Peter Lorence, one of our specialist serious injury solicitors and a keen cycling advocate, is also an associate member of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking. While Peter welcomed the Government’s recent £2 billion pledge to increase cycling and walking, he said that the barriers identified in the survey highlighted the need for further action to improve safety for cyclists and other road users.
Peter said "During such challenging times it’s been uplifting to see new cyclists on the road and it’s certainly given me a boost seeing so many people cycling to maintain a healthy mind and body."
"We don’t want to put anyone off cycling and are delighted that the Government has committed to making it safer, but the proposed changes won’t happen overnight. In the meantime, cyclists and drivers need to continue to champion the collective and supportive ethos we’ve seen since the start of the pandemic."
"With businesses reopening and employees commuting by bike and car we need people to drive and ride sensibly, at the right speed. Sadly, we see all too often the life-changing impact road injuries have on innocent individuals and their families."
Before the coronavirus outbreak, car and walking at 39% and 17% respectively were the two most popular ways of getting to work. Catching the bus was third at 11%, followed by train at 8% and cycling at 6%.
The survey also found that there has been an increase in families taking up cycling, with 12% making this a core activity for family time during lockdown. 31% of 18-24-year-olds have taken up cycling, as have 30% students.
Nervous cyclers
Too much traffic on the roads followed by a lack of designated and segregated cycle lanes were the biggest factors preventing people from cycling. A personal lack of cycling experience and a lack of facilities in the workplace, such as showers and bike storage racks, were also a barrier to those thinking about dusting off their bike.
The Government recently announced a package of measures aimed at increasing the number of people cycling, including building thousands of miles of protected bike lanes in major cities as well as provide cycling training for those who want it.
Peter is keen for others to take up cycling safely, saying “The Government says the pandemic has brought about a once in a lifetime opportunity to change habits. Given the survey’s findings and Ministers’ pledge to increase cycling and walking rates we now hope that the number of people who cycle on a regular basis increases, leading to a permanent change which is a positive for both people’s health and the environment.
If you’re keen to take up cycling either for leisure or commuting, it’s important that you know the Highway Code and how to keep yourself and others safe on the roads. You can read our safety tips for all cyclists here and also take a quiz to test your knowledge before you jump on the saddle.
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