London is The Worst UK City for Cyclists

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London is the Worst UK city for cyclists while Lancaster is the best.

Lancaster is the best UK city for cyclists.
Lancaster is the best UK city for cyclists.

For those looking to experience a city on two wheels, Lancaster scored top of the leader board for the most bike-friendly city in the UK.

Lancaster – one of the six locations in England selected to promote cycling as a mode of transport back in 2005 – offers some of the best air quality and safest roads out of the 39 cities studied. In 2018/19, the city recorded 1 accident per 729 people.

Exeter closely followed suit in second place. Like Lancaster, Exeter was also one of the original locations picked to promote cycling in 2005. According to True Solicitor’s data, the city scored points for good air quality and cycling and walking statistics. In 2018, 21% of the city’s population regularly cycled more than once a week.

London is the least bike-friendly city in the country
London is The Worst UK City for Cyclists
London is The Worst UK City for Cyclists

True Solicitor’s data reveals that London is the UK’s worst city for cyclists. This is despite the Government spending £18  per head on cycling in the capital, compared to just £7 per individual in the rest of England.

London has recorded some of the highest road accidents in Britain in the previous year, with only Birmingham documenting more. There are estimated to be an accident for every 1 in 342 people. This is compared to the lowest rate in Cardiff, which has an incident reported for every 1 in 1,296.

Similarly, air pollution is high in the capital with an Air Quality score of 63 recorded. Bicycles are also more at risk in London, with a bike theft reported for 1 in every 411 people.

Manchester also came in second bottom of the leader board. Manchester, in particular, scored extremely low for air quality – with more pollution recorded in the northern city than anywhere else in the UK.

Brits can save up to £1,600 each year from cycling

With the government pledging to spend £1.5 billion on cycling infrastructure across the UK, it might be time to start cycling – especially when it comes to saving money.

London has the most expensive public transport in the UK. If you were to take up cycling in an effort to improve your health, you could save £1,692 each year.

Canterbury has some of the highest prices for public transport in the UK, with a monthly pass costing £96. Yet, travelling on two wheels could save £1,152 annually.

The same can be said for the UK’s most bike-friendly city. In Lancaster, you could save up to £600 from taking up cycling. That’s not to mention the health benefits.

While cycling can help keep you physically healthy for longer, it has also been said to boost your mental health. According to a recent study, 18% of people who ride a bike everyday consider their life to be happy. Additionally, it’s been found that aerobic exercise – including cycling – can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety, potentially preventing any panic attacks or psychological disorders that affect your daily life.

If you are keen to cycle more, we recommend looking at your local council website to see what cycling schemes are offered and speak to those doing so within your area to ensure you take the safest routes.

Source: True Solicitors

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