Cycling lanes on every road, tax benefits for cyclists and showers at work – Halfords reveals the future of cycling in Britain

• New Halfords research shows 40% want dedicated cycling lanes on every road
• A third (30%) want more places to park and lock bikes
• 17% want tax benefits for cyclists

AHEAD of the Tour de France launching next month, Halfords gives a snapshot into the future of cycling in the UK and highlights attitudes towards campaigners’ hopes for 10% more segregated cycle routes by 2025.

The research of more than 4,500 adults commissioned by Halfords shows that the key factors affecting participation in cycling on UK roads are safety and convenience. When asked what would persuade them to cycle more, 40% said more lanes just for cyclists; 30% want more places to park and lock bikes, and almost one in five (19%) call for better facilities, such as showers, at work.

Compulsory cycling proficiency was called for by 16% of those questioned, and 12% would want to see the introduction of driving licence-style accreditation for cyclists.

The top 10 results included;

• Dedicated cycling lanes on every road (40%)

• More places to park and lock bicycles (30%)

• Better facilities for cyclists at work (19%)

• Tax benefits for cyclists (17%)

• New York-style cycle ‘super highways’ (16%)

• Compulsory cycling proficiency for all cyclists (16%)

• Local cycle safety classes (15%)

• Driving licence style accreditation for cyclists (12%)

• Better cycle safety products (11%)

• Lowering speed limits for cars (10%)

Cyclists can already enjoy tax benefits and showers at work through Cycle2Work. Halfords helped pioneer the scheme that sees users cycle more than 13 million miles every week and which had a 16% increase in users since 2012.

In response to campaigners’ calls for a 10% increase in completely separate cycle routes by 2025, Brits said this would lead to less pollution (41%); reduced costs for commuters (38%) and less congestion on the roads (32%).

However, almost a third (28%) said an increase in segregated bike routes, such as London’s Superhighway, would in fact lead to more conflict between cyclists and motorists or pedestrians.

Chris Boardman MBE, co-founder of Boardman Bikes and British Cycling Policy Advisor, says: “Health, congestion, pollution, more liveable cites - whatever topic you want to choose, the bicycle can be a large part of the answer. In fact it's the only form of mechanised transport that actually contributes to our society - the UK gains £590 a year for every extra regular cyclist."

-ENDS-

For further information please contact Halfords@z-pr.com or 020 7896 3404

The Halfords Group is the UK's leading retailer of automotive, leisure and cycling products and through Halfords Autocentres also one of the UK's leading independent car servicing and repair operator.

Halfords customers shop at 467 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland and at halfords.com for pick-up at their local store or direct home delivery. Halfords Autocentres operates from around 290 sites nationally and offers motorists dealership-quality MOTs, repairs and car servicing at affordable prices. Halfords employs approximately 12,000 colleagues and sells around 10,000 product lines in stores, increasing to around 30,000 lines online. The product offering encompasses significant ranges in car parts, cycles, in-car technology, child seats, roof boxes, outdoor leisure and camping equipment.

Halfords own brands include Apollo and Carrera cycles, augmented by exclusive UK distribution rights for the premium-ranged Boardman cycles and accessories. In outdoor leisure, we sell a premium range of camping equipment including brands such as Outwell. Halfords offers customers expert advice and a fitting service called "wefit" for car parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems, and a "werepair" service for cycles.

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