The number of people commuting to work by bicycle in the UK has failed to increase significantly over the last decade, despite high profile initiatives to encourage cycling.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics last week reveal that 741,000 working aged people between 16 and 74 cycled to work in England and Wales in 2011 - an increase of 90,000 compared with 2001.

But taking population increase into account meant the proportion riding a bicycle to work was unchanged at 2.8%.

Transport charity Sustrans' policy advisor Rachel Bromley said: “These new figures are telling of the haphazard approach of many authorities to improve provision for the increasing number of people wanting to cycle to work.”

The number of people cycling to work declined between 2001 and 2011 in 202 out of 348 local authorities in England and Wales. But cycling in cities has proved far more popular.

In London cycling to work more than doubled from 77,000 to 155,000 over the 10 years and cities including Brighton, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield saw increases of 80% or more.

Campaign for Better Transport director James MacColl said these cities were seeing the benefit of year on year investments in cycling. “But there are far too many places where sustainable transport is under represented in terms of planning and funding," he added.

Further figures released by the Office for National Statistics last week show the average distance travelled by commuters to work using all modes of transport has increased from 13.4km in 2001 to 15km in 2011.

The Midlands and the South West had the largest average increase, travelling 2.2km further than in 2001, while residents in the East of England travelled the furthest to work, averaging 17.3km.

(Photo: Tejan Pettinger)

To return to the newsletter, please close this window.