Fifth of UK citizens 'have not cycled for more than 10 years'
Posted on in Cycles News
One in five people in the UK have not cycled in more than a decade, with many admitting it has been so long they have forgotten what to do, a survey has suggested.
One in ten, or 6.3million, have even forgotten how to ride a bike. However, about the same number were given one for Christmas, the poll by the British Heart Foundation revealed.
The survey found around 16 per cent of people questioned said they were put off riding their bike because they were worried about crashing into something or someone, whilst another 18 per cent said they were worried about falling off while 13 per cent said they were embarrassed about how they might look.
Despite this, more than half of those asked said they would consider getting back on the saddle by taking up a cycling challenge this year. The British Heart Foundation is encouraging people to sign up for its London to Brighton Bike Ride as a way to get fit while supporting research into heart disease.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: "We want to encourage many more people to cycle which will benefit the whole of society by boosting the economy, improving health, cutting congestion and improving air quality.
"We are training the next generation with 1.8 million children having received Bikeability training since 2007 and with another £50 million committed to this scheme over this parliament."
He added: "Britain has some of the safest roads in the world.
"On top of a THINK! campaign to improve cycle safety, we are spending £300 million on cycling in this Parliament and are also providing more than £7 billion to improve the condition of our road surfaces to make them safer for all road users."
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