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9 Jan 2023

Cycling UK says that its Big Bike Revival programme, which encourages people to get unused bikes out of their garages and sheds and start using them for everyday trips, has led to a third of...

9 Jan 2023

Transport for London’s (TfL) cycle hire scheme saw more bikes hired during 2022 than any other year in the scheme’s history, with 11.5 million rentals across the year.

5 Jan 2023

To celebrate the release of the new Independent Coffee Guide Scotland for 2023, a coffee road trip across Scotland has been unveiled with eight 'must visit' destinations. The road trip passes...

4 Jan 2023

Cytech are gearing up to exhibit at this year's Cycle Show once again at Alexandra Palace, providing practical advice and answering any questions visitors may have about working on their bikes.

4 Jan 2023

BBC analysis has shown that beauty salons and tattoo parlours have prospered on high streets while the number of banks and department stores has fallen. Places to eat and drink have also...

3 Jan 2023

Millions are being encouraged to walk and cycle more this year to get fit and save money, with an additional £32.9 million of government funding to accelerate walking and cycling schemes...

15 Dec 2022

Cytech training provider Activate Cycle Academy made it onto BBC television and radio this week as part of The One Show’s launch of a ‘Gift A Bike For Christmas’ campaign.

14 Dec 2022

Leicester has become the latest city to offer a free e-bikes scheme to encourage people to leave their cars at home and pedal around the city. The scheme, which is funded by the Department for...

13 Dec 2022

ACT’s Cytech delivery partner Activate Learning, of which Activate Cycle Academy is a part, is offering FREE online Microsoft accredited online courses for employers to enable their staff...

13 Dec 2022

We are starting a series of Retailer Profiles, shining a light on some of our best and most interesting independent retailers. If you would like us to consider your shop for inclusion, please...

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More cycle routes would be good for drivers, says AA President

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

AA President Edmund King has told the Daily Telegraph that more cycle routes would be good for drivers, as encouraging motorists to take fewer journeys by car could cut household fuel costs and reduce congestion on the roads for other drivers.

“Even though we're a motoring organisation, that doesn't mean you need to use your motor all the time,” Mr King said.

“And journeys under a mile and a half are in many ways the most expensive way to use a car, because your car's not warmed up, you're only going a short distance, and you've got to pay to park.”

Fuel prices have begun to rise again, hitting £1.62 a litre for petrol and £1.82 for diesel on Monday, though are still below their summer peak of £2 a litre.

The Department for Transport is reported to be considering cutting the remaining £700m of the £2bn Active Travel Fund as it seeks to respond to the prime minister's calls for efficiencies across Government.

The AA says around a fifth of its members are regular cyclists, with more saying they would like to cycle but are put off by a lack of safety and bike paths. Around half of AA members said they would consider using a bicycle to replace one or more car journeys per week.

Yellow Bike on Road

Replacing more car journeys with walking or cycling would also help eliminate congestion and make it easier and quicker for drivers to get around, Mr King said.

AA research during the Covid lockdowns found that reducing motor traffic between five to 10 per cent was the difference between having traffic flowing or stop-start journeys.

"It doesn't have to be a massive cut, but can make a big difference," Mr King said.

Cycling levels have risen steadily this year amid the cost-of-living crisis, reaching twice as high as pre pandemic levels on some days this summer.

The AA and other groups have written to Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Transport Secretary, to urge her to protect funding for active travel.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “We have invested record amounts to enable more walking, wheeling and cycling through better infrastructure, cycle training and active travel prescriptions, and are committed to ensuring active travel remains high on our agenda.”

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