Cycling UK: £5.62 returned for each £1 spent on cycling
CyclingUK has published a new report titled The Route Forward, which presents a diverse array of cycling schemes from up and down the country and their return on investment over time.
The latest data suggests that for every £1 invested in active travel, £5.62 is returned via downstream savings.
These include physical and mental health savings to the NHS, congestion and pollution reduction, plus local businesses doing better due to those on bikes generally spending more time and money on our High Streets.
The report states “Many people are deterred by concerns about road safety. Surveys repeatedly identify fear of traffic as the main barrier to cycling, particularly among women and less confident riders. At the same time, a large majority of people say they would cycle more if safe cycling routes, which are separated from traffic, were available.”
This is the simple, and consistent message we give Councillors at every opportunity- they can give people freedom, save public money, support local businesses and revive our High Streets when they make cycling attractive for more people.
Which takes us to….