Cycling in Britain: Stagnation Despite Olympic Success and Urban Policy Efforts
Britain has not evolved into a widespread cycling nation despite successes at the Olympic level. The surge in cycling during the Covid era was temporary, and cycle trips across England have overall remained broadly static for several years.
Sales data reflect this trend with Brompton reporting its lowest annual folding-bike sales since 2021, and conventional bike sales in 2024 reaching the lowest point in the century.
In contrast, London shows a positive trend, with about 1.5 million cycling trips per day, marking a 43% increase compared to 2019. Other areas report smaller gains.
Cyclists in the UK generally fall into three categories: leisure riders, daily transport cyclists, and those using ebikes or dockless hire networks. To encourage growth in daily cycling, there is a crucial need for enhanced safety measures and long-term infrastructure investment.
Market trends indicate a shift in high-end bike sales from traditional road bikes to gravel bikes and a rise in sophisticated indoor trainers, motivated by a desire to avoid car travel.
UK national cycling policy has lacked consistency, fluctuating with political leadership. Sustained, long-term investment and leadership are essential to attract and retain cycling talent. London, benefiting from continuous support across multiple mayoral terms, exemplifies the impact of steady backing.
In comparison to strong growth in the European ebike market—with Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Spain expected to sell over five million electric bikes this year—the UK market is much smaller, potentially selling only about 150,000, unless subsidies improve.
The presence of illegal fast electric bikes contributes to a negative image surrounding cycling. Proposed measures include enforcement checks for delivery riders and considerations for how landlords and employers manage ebike use, alongside calls for subsidies and road-safety initiatives to boost broader ebike adoption.
Urban policy in London, including congestion charging and low-traffic neighbourhoods, demonstrates how city-level interventions can influence cycling and car use patterns, serving as a lever for cycling growth.
