Why Cycling?

Cycling is the future of cities

The world's leading cities have recognised the benefits of cycling, and ae racing to build safe cycling infrastructure. Cyclists are appearing in huge numbers, moving freely around the city while saving money, getting healthier, and never getting stuck in traffic.

The invention of the pedal assist e-bike has opened up cycling to even more people and uses - even deliveries traditionally made by vans.

London

London quadrupled their cycle network between 2016 and 2024. The results have been dramatic, with cyclist now outnumbering cars in the City.

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A steady stream of cyclists in London. Credit: Charles Campion.

The Evening Standard: cyclists outnumbering motorists in City of London during peak times, report reveals

Paris

Paris has been carrying out "Plan Velo", with the aim of making the city completely safe to cycle in by 2026. Roads and parking spaces have been converted to cycle lanes. With a bigger investment, it has seen even more success than London. Bicyles now outnumber cars in Paris.

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A steady stream of cyclists in Paris. Credit EmmanuelSP.

El Pais: The cycling revolution in Paris continues: Bicycle use now exceeds car use. A study indicates that 11.2% of trips in the French capital are made on two wheels, compared to 4.3% in four-wheel vehicles

Glasgow

Glasgow is still at the start of building its city network, but the highest quality lanes are already popular. Every expansion of the network will grow the number of people cycling.

Cycling Scotland: 13% of journeys on Victoria Road made by bike: Glasgow is going Dutch. Scotland’s new separated cycle route, South City Way, showing huge number of people cycling.

Cycling is good for congestion

In cities and towns, there isn't enough space to move everyone by car. Cars are fast on the open road, but they are very large and at rush hour they quickly fill all of the road space.

Active travel and public transport move much larger numbers of people in the same space than private cars, reducing congestion for cars still on the road.

Of course not all vehicles are good for all journeys, but cycling is perfect for most journeys up to 5 miles, which is 7 in 10 journeys in the UK.

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A Transport for London study found that the cycle lanes on Blackfriars Bridge are 5 times more efficient at moving people than the general traffic lanes:

Case Study – Blackfriars Bridge: Morning peak-hour (08:00-09:00) • Main carriageway in the northbound direction moved on average 1,542 people per hour • Cycle lane in the northbound direction moved on average 1,938 people per hour, exceeding the capacity of a general traffic lane Efficient use of road space • The cycle lane moved as many people as would be moved in 2.5 general traffic lanes, equivalent to an extra1,400 private vehicles or 22 London Buses • Given that the cycle lane takes up about as much space as half a standard traffic lane, this means that overall they are 5 times more efficient at moving people (assuming the current ratio of private vehicles to buses, etc.) — Source: Transport For London

Cycling is cheap

Cycling is the cheapest form of transport. According to insurer Pedalsure, switching a five day a week commute from driving to cycling could save you over £3,000 a year.

Cycling Scotland have been trialling e-bike loans, and one participant - Geraldine in Sutherland - found that her £5 commute was only 11p by e-bike.

Cycling is good for your health

The NHS recommends that we all get 150 minutes of exercise a week to reduce the risk of conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and even depression.

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/get-active/2019/everyday-walking-and-cycling/health-benefits-of-cycling-and-walking