Cycling group warns ‘bikelash’ is putting PM’S promise at risk

A “BIKELASH” from the pro-car lobby is putting Boris Johnson’s “golden age of cycling” promise at risk, an industry group has complained.

Moving to cycling has come up against opposition from a vocal minority, the #Bikeisbest campaign group has said.

There was a huge surge in the uptake of cycling throughout lockdown with the number of bikes on the road at one point in May almost 400 per cent higher than pre-covid levels.

Cycling rates reached 349 per cent in April and then 387 per cent in May, the Department for Transport said.

Rates have remained about 100 per cent compared to pre-covid figures but have now slowed, with 62 per cent on Aug 21 the lowest number for a single day in four months.

In a letter sent to the Prime Minister and seen by The Times, the campaign group, which has been formed by more than 50 cycling brands and organisations, said there were signs access to high-quality infrastructure could descend into a “postcode lottery”.

It said: “It is clear that there is widespread support for cycling but still progress is slow and in some cases has stopped before it has even started,” the letter said. “The huge unmet demand from people who want to cycle but don’t feel safe enough to do so needs to be urgently addressed.

“To achieve success in planning for active travel, we believe that local authorities need to have access to experts to help design future-proof schemes and pool knowledge to help better engage

‘Put simply, councils need to be better equipped to deal with bikelash’

with the community. Put simply, councils need to be better equipped to deal with bikelash and shaping the national narrative has a significant part to play here.”

Mr Johnson last month detailed a £2 billion package of measures to increase cycling, including more segregated cycle lanes.

He had previously said this could be a “golden age” of cycling and walking, with cycling to work a key strategy for easing lockdown.