Get on your bike call for quiet roads

CYCLING: People in Yorkshire are being encouraged to hop on their bikes to make the most of the quiet roads, as figures show cycling has risen 40 per cent since lockdown began.

Retailers in the region are reporting a large increase in sales as local councils create additional bike paths and plan to keep people on two wheels.

PEOPLE in Yorkshire are being encouraged to hop on their bikes to make the most of the quiet roads, as figures show cycling has risen 40 per cent since lockdown began and the trend could continue after it has ended.

Retailers in the region are reporting a large increase in sales as local councils create additional bike paths and introduce new schemes to keep people on two wheels.

Car traffic has fallen to 1950s levels over the last month, as people have fewer reasons to get in their cars. Google searches for bike shops have also doubled since lockdown began, with York fourth in the UK for the number of searches for local retailers.

It was revealed this weekend that social distancing would mean just one in 10 passengers was able to travel if the public transport network was running at full capacity, with cycling and even e-scooters being part of a new normal.

In order to keep to the rules of people staying two metres apart, England’s trains, buses and trams would be able to safely cater for only 10 per cent of the usual passenger load, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said on Saturday.

Pop-up bike lanes, wider pavements and cycle and bus-only streets are among the plans for England as the public are urged to make changes to their travel habits when elements of the lockdown are eased.

Cycle mechanic Sid Manson, from York Cycleworks, said the shop has been three or four times busier than normal in recent weeks. “We’re struggling to keep up and we’re now booking two weeks in advance. It’s a mixture of regulars and people who are getting their bikes out of their sheds taking advantage of the roads being quieter.

“Let’s hope it continues after lockdown as people find they enjoy cycling. It’s brilliant news for everyone.”

Cyclescheme, which was set up so employees can save money on the cost of a bike by buying it through their workplace, said the number of applications in the UK has gone up by 27 per cent since lockdown began.

The number of employers taking up the scheme has more than

Cycle mechanic Sid Manson, from York Cycleworks.

doubled. “It seems that people are wary of getting back on public transport after lockdown so are investing in a bike,” a spokesman told The Yorkshire Post.

Research by Ipsos Mori found that three in five Britons would feel uncomfortable using public transport.

Peter Mildon, of Vivacity Labs, which analyses transport use, said bike use dropped for the first two weekends after lockdown but has increased enormously.

“We’ve seen an average 40 per cent increase in cycling in the areas we’re monitoring,” Mr Mildon said.

“The big spikes in cycling come in more residential areas, local centres and roads leading out of town to green space.”

Leeds Council’s executive member for climate change, transport and sustainable development, Lisa Mulherin, encouraged everyone who is physically able to take advantage of lockdown to walk and cycle.

“Active travel is a great way to get around and has long-term health benefits. Cycling also enables people to get from A to B without having to be in close proximity,” she said.

The council has installed a cycle lane by using temporary bollards on one of the city’s busiest streets, the A65 Kirkstall Road, as part of a pilot programme.

Let’s hope it continues after lockdown as people find they enjoy cycling.