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One in five Brits say they would consider commuting by bike, finds survey

News comes as Cycling UK and Network Rail launch partnership to help new cyclists overcome barriers to getting in the saddle

One in five British workers say that they would consider cycling as part of their journey to work – but concerns about road safety and having their bike stolen is putting them off, according to a survey from Network Rail as it launches a partnership with Cycling UK to get more people in the saddle.

The survey, conducted by YouGov, also found that almost 60 per cent of commuters now feel confident about returning to their workplaces and that 32 per cent plan to do so within the next week, provided it is safe for them to do so.

Barriers to commuting by bike remain for a significant proportion of the population, however. Almost half, 49 per cent, are concerned about riding on busy roads, rising to 55 per cent of those living in London.

Meanwhile, 22 per cent worry that their bike will be stolen or damaged, and 15 per cent have concerns that will not be enough bike storage at their workplace or close to it.

Under the partnership between Network Rail and Cycling UK, new cyclists will be given tips on how to park their bikes securely at railway stations, as well as having access to an interactive journey planner that will enable them to find cycle-friendly routes.

David Biggs, managing director of Network Rail Property, commented: “With more people taking up cycling and considering using it as part of their journey back to the workplace, we wanted to let them know that our stations offer lots of convenient storage space for them to leave their bikes.

“We’re working with Cycling UK to help promote sustainable, healthy travel, by offering useful and practical advice to new cyclists and help overcome some of the common barriers to cycling.”

Network Rail manages 20 of the country’s busiest railway stations, including London Waterloo, Birmingham New Street and Manchester Piccadilly, with a combined total of 5,000 secure cycle parking spaces.

Together with Cycling UK, it will provide information about bike parking availability and how to use the units safely to ensure bikes are not stolen or damaged.

Jenny Box, Head of Behaviour Change – England, at Cycling UK, said: “Cycling is one of the best ways to make your short essential journeys, such as riding to the station or shops. It’s fun, free, good for you and an easy way to maintain social distancing while still getting out and about.

“Together with Network Rail, Cycling UK wants to encourage more people to discover the simple joy of riding a bike and give them the skills to keep on cycling.”

Transport minister Chris Heaton-Harris, who has responsibility for cycling, added: “We have set out a revolutionary plan to transform attitudes around cycling, focused on creating a healthier and more active country.

“This important partnership will provide practical support and guidance, as well as confidence that they can safely store their bikes at stations, helping people make a positive change.”

A full list of bike parking facilities at the stations managed by Network Rail is shown below, and you can find out more information about the initiative and Cycling UK’s interactive journey planner here.

Station Parking via Network Rail.PNG

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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10 comments

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ktache | 3 years ago
0 likes

Only 22% are woried about their bicycle being stolen or damaged.

Wow.

I will never leave any of my bicycles at a train station.

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OldRidgeback replied to ktache | 3 years ago
0 likes

That's the job my scruffy old clunker has. It's old with a scratched frame and is very dirty. 

Underneath the grime are some decent bits that are regularly lubricated.

It rides much better than it looks.

Avatar
wtjs | 3 years ago
2 likes

No matter what the non-cyclists claim, almost all the people who will commute by cycle are already doing it. The rest are just thinking up excuses, some of which (like the death potential) are perfectly valid!

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mdavidford replied to wtjs | 3 years ago
1 like

Surely if the 'excuses' are perfectly valid, they're reasons, not excuses? And in that case, those reasons can be addressed, which will allow those people citing them to then start cycling.

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wtjs replied to mdavidford | 3 years ago
1 like

The ones about 'I'll get sweaty', my hair will get messed up, I have to go shopping etc are excuses. Those people will always find excuses why they can't cycle no matter what.

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chunky | 3 years ago
1 like

Oooh I was about to rant about not being able to book a bike on the GWR app....

...but they've fixed it. Someone obviously realised we're actually want to go places!

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Sriracha | 3 years ago
2 likes

A minimum requirement for cycle storage at work is a place to park your bike where you are not worried that it will be stolen or damaged. So I'm curious how the percentage of people who are worried about theft or damage exceeds those who say there is nowhere to park at work. There must be at least 7% who either think their bike will be nicked or damaged other than whilst parked at work, or else they are resigned to the adequacy of such such vulnerable worplace parking. Neither is uplifting.

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brooksby | 3 years ago
0 likes

I think the bike parking at Bristol Temple Meads is about to be removed, isn't it?

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hawkinspeter replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
0 likes

brooksby wrote:

I think the bike parking at Bristol Temple Meads is about to be removed, isn't it?

Yes, the on-platform parking is to be removed and located round the corner but crucially not "protected" by ticket barriers. It's also a lot closer to load up bikes into the back of a van, which is not so easy on the platform.

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Hirsute replied to hawkinspeter | 3 years ago
1 like

Casing the joint eh ?

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