Millions of Brits ‘locked out’ of cycling due to complete lack of bike parking, report finds

Millions of people across the UK are “missing out” on the benefits of cycling due to a lack of safe and accessible cycle parking, eye-opening research has found. 

The study, published by walking, wheeling and cycling charity Sustrans, found that those on a low income or not in employment found it hardest to start or continue cycling, with almost a third (32%) lacking space to park their bike at home.

The charity estimated that a total of 3.7 million people are “locked out” of cycling, and left “at risk of transport poverty as the costs of running a car and using public transport continue to rise“.

Retired nurse Nicky, who lives in Oldbury in the West Midlands, explained that she was “missing out” on cycling because her osteoarthritis means she needs an accessible place to park a bike, something that she does not have access to at home.

“With my condition, I struggle to walk long distances. With cycling, it’s not hard on your joints so I think having secure storage to get my own bike would open up a lot up for me,” she said, explaining that she is currently unable to join her daughter and husband on rides.

“I would consider getting storage on my drive at the front of my house – as long as it’s good quality, lockable and easy to get bikes in and out,” she explained. “Either that or street storage is really appealing, there’s so much space around here – it would benefit the rest of the community too.”  

“As well as ease – the security aspect of things is also important to me,” she added.   

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Sustrans’ study, the Residential Cycle Parking report, found that 5.5 million people on a low income or not in employment would be likely to start cycling, or cycle more, if they had access to a safe, secure, and accessible place to park a bike.

The report found that marginalised people were even more likely to be “locked out” of cycling, with 39% of disabled people lacking secure space to store a bike at home, as well as 34% of women, and 36% of people from an ethnic minority background.

A person’s living arrangements also impacted their ability to cycle, with only 23% of people living in flats having an accessible place to store a bike, compared to 58% of people who live in a detached house.  

Sustrans has urged local authorities to increase residential parking provision on the back of the report, adding that the central government and local authorities should “work together to tackle other barriers to cycling for people on a low income or not in employment”.

“Cycling is a low-cost form of transport that opens up employment and education opportunities, as well as boosting health and wellbeing. Yet, millions of people who would benefit most from cycling face a major barrier in having nowhere safe, secure and accessible to store a cycle,” Xavier Brice, Sustrans’ chief executive, said.

Brice explained that “relatively small and simple changes” could be “transformational for people’s lives” as well as the UK’s transport system.

“The new UK government has pledged to overhaul transport and tackle inequality. Active travel is at the heart of this – and ensuring no one is left behind is vital,” Brice added.

“This is a key opportunity to break down barriers to cycling and make sure the benefits are available for everyone.”

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