Cycling UK, the country’s largest cycling campaign group, urges the new government to shift away from a culture war-based approach to active travel and invest properly in safe bike routes. This call follows a survey revealing that nearly half of people avoid cycling due to safety concerns, particularly older riders.
The group advocates for coherent investment in cycling infrastructure, contrasting the previous approach under Rishi Sunak’s government, which prioritised drivers' needs and opposed low-traffic neighbourhood schemes, 20mph zones, and bus lanes. Former transport secretary Mark Harper also perpetuated myths about 15-minute cities, falsely suggesting they limited shopping trips.
Cycling UK’s poll found that while 92% of UK adults can ride a bike, fewer than half do, with 48% citing road safety concerns. The charity stresses that despite cycling being safer than perceived, the fear of danger remains a barrier. This can be mitigated by infrastructure like separated bike lanes, which 70% of people support.
Cycling UK calls on the Labour government to allocate 10% of the transport budget to active travel, highlighting benefits for public health and the environment. Chief executive Sarah Mitchell notes a strong public desire for more cycling routes and safer infrastructure, emphasising the need for evidence-led debates.
New transport secretary Lou Haigh has expressed a commitment to boosting active travel levels, emphasising the importance of environmentally friendly transport initiatives. She aims to make public transport and active travel more attractive, building on efforts to promote zero-emission vehicles and sustainable aviation fuels.
Asian Voice asked Surath, a cyclist, how he thinks the new government's approach to investing in safe bike routes, as Cycling UK advocates, could impact the overall safety and usage of bicycles for transport. He said, “I believe this is extremely beneficial from many different perspectives. Firstly, the overall number of people cycling to work will increase and in turn the traffic on the roads should decrease over time. Many people live within a 5-10 mile radius of their workplace, which is easily manageable. I would argue that without a shift in policy, we will forever have to deal with congested roads or roads under construction. There are significant health benefits for the riders, and most definitely for the environment.”
Considering the previous government's emphasis on favouring drivers' needs, Surath shared his thoughts on the pushback against low-traffic neighbourhood schemes, 20mph zones, and bus lanes. He told us, “It is hard for me to comment on the larger picture without sufficient data. However, such policies should enable a more active travel approach with walking and cycling. But I’m sure some people may need a faster means of transportation and this should be balanced.”