The cost of oil has risen by over 50% since Israel, the USA and Iran went to war.
Every time petrol prices rise, councillors knocking on doors will hear the same worries from residents: How will I afford my commute? Will this push up the cost of everything else? What choices do I actually have?
These concerns are real — and they land hardest on households already stretched by the cost‑of‑living crisis. Councillors could be forgiven for thinking this is a long way from their control. But local government does have practical tools to help and they could start tomorrow.
One of the most effective, affordable, and immediate would be turning plans into real investment in active travel.
This isn’t about telling people to abandon their cars. It’s about giving residents realistic, safe, money‑saving alternatives so they can choose what works for them.
1. Active travel is the cheapest form of everyday transport
Transport is the second‑largest household cost after housing. When fuel prices rise, the impact is felt instantly.
Walking and cycling offer a practical way for many residents to cut their transport bills — often dramatically.
– A bike typically costs £100–£300 per year to maintain
– Driving typically costs £3,000–£5,000 per year once fuel, insurance, tax, maintenance, and depreciation are included
– Even replacing one or two weekly car trips with cycling or walking can save hundreds of pounds annually
And for some residents, the savings would be transformative.
Jackie’s commute from Countess Wear to Exeter College.
Jackie lives in Countess Wear and works as a teaching assistant atExeter College. Her commute is just over 4 miles each way — a short drive across the city, but one that had become increasingly expensive.
Jackie found herself spending far more than expected on what felt like a “quick hop” to work. Between fuel, parking, and the wear‑and‑tear of lots of short trips, the costs added up fast.
So Jackie decided to try cycling a couple of days a week. Within a month, she was cycling most days.
Jackie found new routes to work, including the via Ludwell Valley to the E9 cycle route through Wonford and St Leonards to the City Centre. She also has the option of the car-free route along the Canal and into the City Centre via Miller’s Crossing
Here’s what she saved.
Jackie’s annual driving costs for an 8‑mile daily commute:
Annual costs avoided by switching to a
Fuel £324
Wear & tear (AA/RAC estimates) £180–£270
Parking £225–£675
Total saving about £729–£1,269
Once you include reduced depreciation and lower insurance premiums for reduced mileage, Jackie’s real‑world saving is around £1,000–£1,400 per year.
Against a salary less than £25000 a year this was a 5% pay rise- tax free!!
“I didn’t realise how much those little trips were costing me,” Jackie says. “Cycling has basically given me a pay rise — and I get to work faster than I did in the car.”
This is the kind of practical, everyday benefit that active travel investment unlocks.
Active travel helps those who still need to drive
When some residents switch to walking or cycling, everyone benefits:
– Less congestion
– Shorter journey times for carers, tradespeople, delivery drivers, and key workers
– Lower road maintenance costs for councils
– Reduced pressure on school‑run pinch points
Active travel isn’t anti‑car. It’s about making the whole transport system work better.
Councils can act quickly and visibly
Active travel improvements don’t require decade‑long planning. Our Councillors can deliver:
– Safer crossings
– School streets
– Protected cycle lanes
– Secure cycle parking
– Better pavements
– Traffic‑calmed residential streets
These are low‑cost, high‑impact measures that residents notice immediately.
Options — not lectures
When fuel prices rise, people aren’t asking councils to fix global energy markets. They’re asking for practical ways to cope.
Active travel gives them:
– A way to save money
– A way to avoid congestion
– A way to stay healthy
– A way to get around without relying on volatile fuel prices
It’s about freedom, not restriction.
Active travel is a cost‑of‑living solution hiding in plain sight
Rising fuel prices highlight the vulnerability of our transport system that leaves many residents with no alternative to driving. By investing in active travel, the council can:
– Reduce household costs
– Support local businesses
– Improve public health
– Cut congestion
– Deliver exceptional value for money
Most importantly, they can show residents that local government is taking practical, immediate action to help them through the cost‑of‑living crisis.
For councillors looking for a doorstep policy that is popular, affordable, and transformative, active travel is one of the smartest available.
Every time petrol prices rise, councillors knocking on doors will hear the same worries from residents: How will I afford my commute? Will this push up the cost of everything else? What choices do I actually have?
These concerns are real — and they land hardest on households already stretched by the cost‑of‑living crisis. Councillors could be forgiven for thinking this is a long way from their control. But local government does have practical tools to help and they could start tomorrow.
One of the most effective, affordable, and immediate would be turning plans into real investment in active travel.
This isn’t about telling people to abandon their cars. It’s about giving residents realistic, safe, money‑saving alternatives so they can choose what works for them.
1. Active travel is the cheapest form of everyday transport
Transport is the second‑largest household cost after housing. When fuel prices rise, the impact is felt instantly.
Walking and cycling offer a practical way for many residents to cut their transport bills — often dramatically.
– A bike typically costs £100–£300 per year to maintain
– Driving typically costs £3,000–£5,000 per year once fuel, insurance, tax, maintenance, and depreciation are included
– Even replacing one or two weekly car trips with cycling or walking can save hundreds of pounds annually
And for some residents, the savings would be transformative.
Jackie’s commute from Countess Wear to Exeter College.
Jackie lives in Countess Wear and works as a teaching assistant atExeter College. Her commute is just over 4 miles each way — a short drive across the city, but one that had become increasingly expensive.
Jackie found herself spending far more than expected on what felt like a “quick hop” to work. Between fuel, parking, and the wear‑and‑tear of lots of short trips, the costs added up fast.
So Jackie decided to try cycling a couple of days a week. Within a month, she was cycling most days.
Jackie found new routes to work, including the via Ludwell Valley to the E9 cycle route through Wonford and St Leonards to the City Centre. She also has the option of the car-free route along the Canal and into the City Centre via Miller’s Crossing
Here’s what she saved.
Jackie’s annual driving costs for an 8‑mile daily commute:
Annual costs avoided by switching to a
Fuel £324
Wear & tear (AA/RAC estimates) £180–£270
Parking £225–£675
Total saving about £729–£1,269
Once you include reduced depreciation and lower insurance premiums for reduced mileage, Jackie’s real‑world saving is around £1,000–£1,400 per year.
Against a salary less than £25000 a year this was a 5% pay rise- tax free!!
“I didn’t realise how much those little trips were costing me,” Jackie says. “Cycling has basically given me a pay rise — and I get to work faster than I did in the car.”
This is the kind of practical, everyday benefit that active travel investment unlocks.
Active travel helps those who still need to drive
When some residents switch to walking or cycling, everyone benefits:
– Less congestion
– Shorter journey times for carers, tradespeople, delivery drivers, and key workers
– Lower road maintenance costs for councils
– Reduced pressure on school‑run pinch points
Active travel isn’t anti‑car. It’s about making the whole transport system work better.
Councils can act quickly and visibly
Active travel improvements don’t require decade‑long planning. Our Councillors can deliver:
– Safer crossings
– School streets
– Protected cycle lanes
– Secure cycle parking
– Better pavements
– Traffic‑calmed residential streets
These are low‑cost, high‑impact measures that residents notice immediately.
Options — not lectures
When fuel prices rise, people aren’t asking councils to fix global energy markets. They’re asking for practical ways to cope.
Active travel gives them:
– A way to save money
– A way to avoid congestion
– A way to stay healthy
– A way to get around without relying on volatile fuel prices
It’s about freedom, not restriction.
Active travel is a cost‑of‑living solution hiding in plain sight
Rising fuel prices highlight the vulnerability of our transport system that leaves many residents with no alternative to driving. By investing in active travel, the council can:
– Reduce household costs
– Support local businesses
– Improve public health
– Cut congestion
– Deliver exceptional value for money
Most importantly, they can show residents that local government is taking practical, immediate action to help them through the cost‑of‑living crisis.
For councillors looking for a doorstep policy that is popular, affordable, and transformative, active travel is one of the smartest available.
for and on behalf of
EXETER CYCLING CAMPAIGN ________________________________
exetercyclingcampaign.org.uk
Facebook: ExeterCyclingCampaign