New report claims UK lagging behind Europe in cycling infrastructure development
Posted on in Brands & Products News , Cycles News
A new survey of 2,000 British cyclists, which is part of a wider European report, claims that only just over a quarter of people in the UK think their local cycling infrastructure has improved in the past year.
The annual “State of the Nation” report by Shimano says that compared to the UK's 27%, an average of 39% across all the other countries involved felt that cycling infrastructure had improved. Lack of infrastructure is believed to be one of the major factors preventing people from cycling.
This research is part of the wider report which is to be used to assess attitudes and insights towards the use of electric bikes across Europe.
Speaking to Cycling Weekly, Jonathan Davis, PR and communications manager for Shimano Europe said the findings were fascinating and enabled the company to identify key trends in the e-bike market.
“We are delighted to be launching our fourth State of the Nation report. Based on a poll of over 15,500 people across Europe, it aims to examine the motivations of e-bike users and better understand the attitudes to e-bikes and cycling more widely,” he said
''The findings are fascinating and allow us to identify key trends in the market. The awareness of (and even attitudes towards) those who interact with an e-bike in some way are shifting upwards.”
When respondents were asked about the factors that might encourage someone to buy or hire an e-bike now compared to a year ago, economic factors such as cost of living and purchase subsidies came out as the main factors.
37% of people in the UK also cited knowing that they would reduce their environmental impact, as a factor that might encourage someone to buy or hire an e-bike, compared to 33% across Europe.
Across Europe, within those citing environmental impact as a factor in choosing e-bikes, the percentage was highest at 37% amongst the ages 18-24, and higher for women at 36% compared to 30% for men. The factor of environmental concerns also came out higher in both Italy and Spain, which could be seen as a response to extreme weather events recently seen in both countries.
Shimano has been exploring the perceptions and stereotypes that exist around e-bike usage. In the UK the main factors that came to the top of the surface were environmentally conscious people, commuters, and elderly people.