A new report is encouraging people to start cycling in order to reduce medical costs by £319 million.

Cycling charity, Sustrans, says 34,000 incidents of cardiovascular disease, strokes and Type 2 diabetes could be prevented in cities across the UK through more proactive exercise.

London has been leading the way – cycling participation has doubled since the turn of the millennium – but the rest of the country has been slow on the uptake.

With the UK facing a rapidly expanding and ageing population, Sustrans commissioned the report with a public health crisis leaving the NHS unable to support the rapid increase in obesity related diseases.

Bike hire schemes have become the norm in most major cities

A lot of people do not have access to a working bicycle

David Clasby 

The main issues relating to a reduced interest in the activity appears to be mainly linked to  poor infrastructure around Britain’s roads to accommodate cyclists.

Dangerous roads mean that commuting via bike is not always an option.

In 2018 alone, 63 cyclists in London were killed in road traffic accidents. Nottingham also has issues with ‘substandard’ cycle paths, which bodies like Pedals are canvassing to update.

So, what are can we expect for cycling improvements in the coming years?

  • Chancellor Phillip Hammond pledged £30 Billion towards road improvements
  • Sustrans are calling for 5% of the next transport to budget to committed to cycling
  • 1 billion cycle trips would take place in major cities in 2040 if progress is positive
  • An estimated 628 deaths could be prevented if the project is succesful

David Clasby, representing Sustrans, agrees that the key to improve bike use is to address the basic reasons preventing a sustainable revolution.

In the case of Nottingham, there are plenty of local organisations supporting the mission to get more people on bikes while encouraging there regular use.

Nottingham Bikeworks and The Big Wheel regularly hold events to educate those new to the cycling scene.