Our new survey reveals strong support for cycling promotion and infrastructure in the UK

A survey has revealed that almost two-thirds of the UK (64%) are supportive of encouraging others to cycle more, with only 9% stating they did not agree that people should be encouraged to cycle more. Staggeringly, 70% of respondents also wanted to see more cycle-friendly routes across the country.

The nationally representative survey of more than 4,000 people, which we commissioned, has found that there is wide public support for cycling and better infrastructure in the UK. However, despite this support, data revealed that while the majority of the UK (92%) can ride a bike, surprisingly less than half do.

Women in cycling

Looking at the survey data surrounding cycling and gender, it showed that women were almost twice as likely as men to not know how to ride a bike (11% compared to 6%), with lack of confidence also being twice that of male respondents (41% compared to 19%). A separate report published at the start of the year, titled ‘What Stops Women Cycling in London?’ revealed that 77% of women who cycle experienced harassment and intimidation at least once a month.

We strongly believe we need to do more to encourage women to cycle by making it safer. The charity has proposed building a greater number of well-lit, protected cycle lanes to make active travel safe, accessible and easy. It has also highlighted groups and individuals that encourage a more inclusive cycling culture in the UK, through its 100 Women in Cycling annual list. 2023 Community champions like Eilidh Murray have made incredible progress campaigning tirelessly for women’s cycle safety in her position as a trustee for the London Cycling Campaign and as the coordinator of its new Women’s Network. 

Road safety while cycling

The survey went on to outline how men and women equally identified road safety as the main reason they don’t cycle, (50% and 47%, respectively). The data paints a picture that despite public support for cycling, the population ultimately remain hesitant because of concerns around road safety (48%). 

This is further mirrored by 70% of respondents wishing to see more cycle-friendly routes, that separate them from roads where they are more likely to be injured or killed. 

We highlight that countless surveys and reports have been produced over past years, which unanimously emphasise the seismic positive impact cycling can have. In February 2024, the IPPR found that if we properly invested in active travel, we’d save the NHS £17 billion over 20 years. But going back to 2018, a survey by Cycleplan identified three-quarters of respondents noticed an improvement in their mental health after cycling.

The mental and physical benefits of cycling

Digging deeper into the reasons why so many of the UK support more cycle routes and better infrastructure, the public collectively recognise the benefits it has to mental and physical health. When asked, ‘which do you think are the three most important benefits of cycling’, respondents to Cycling UK’s survey most often selected:

• improves physical health (60%)
• boosts fitness (50%)
• and enhances mental health (38%).

The majority of those aged 45 and over were the most likely to recognise the benefits cycling has to physical health and fitness, with an average of 62% compared to 46% of under-45s. People in this demographic were, however, less likely to see the important impact cycling has on mental health, with an average of 36% of over-45s citing mental health as an important benefit, while the average was 41% for under-45s. Both age groups equally wanted to see more people cycling, and age did not affect respondents’ support for more cycle-friendly routes and the promotion of cycling.

Sarah Mitchell, Cycling UK's chief executive, 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 overwhelming 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.”

Investment in active travel

Earlier this year, independent research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) called for at least 10% of total transport investment to go towards active travel. This wasn’t because people living across the UK widely support cycling, which they do, but because it benefits the economy, public health and the environment in a big way.  

Recognising what people want from the new government, we've repeating calls for Labour to commit to spending 10% of the total transport budget on active travel to enable people to live happier, healthier and greener lives through cycling. 

We want to see cycling and walking prioritised by this government so we can create better joined-up transport for all communities across the UK. We maintain that local authorities need the security of this long-term funding to have the confidence to develop and deliver ambitious plans for active travel networks. 

The new Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has promised to deliver the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation, having recognised how investment in transport can help achieve Labour’s commitment to “growth, net zero, opportunity, and the safety of women and girls”. 

Cycling in particular has the potential to positively impact not just the transport sector but also Labour’s key missions to build an NHS fit for the future and boost economic growth, and so much more.