Nearly three out of 10 (29%) London drivers say they are cycling more or seriously considering it because of rising fuel prices, a survey suggests.
A further 15% of respondents intend to switch to cycling if pump prices continue to increase.
Young Londoners are driving the shift to two wheels, with 44% of motorists in the capital aged 18-34 cycling more or considering it, the poll commissioned by e-bike rental company Lime indicated.
Iran’s restrictions on tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz means the average price of a litre of petrol and diesel at UK forecourts is 26p and 44p respectively more expensive than before the conflict started on February 28.
Alice Pleasant, senior public affairs manager at Lime, acknowledged cycling “won’t replace every journey”, but for many people it is a “practical, low-cost way to get to where they need to go”.
She went on: “Rising petrol prices are the latest in a number of factors prompting a shift in how Londoners travel, with many drivers actively rethinking their reliance on cars.
“More people are starting to look for alternatives that are affordable and flexible – cycling being the obvious choice.”
Tom Fyans, chief executive of the London Cycling Campaign, said: “Cycling more is an ideal way to beat surging prices at the pump.
“It’s not only cheap and will stay cheap – it’s also healthy, very safe in London and helps us do our bit in not feeding global instability.”
Separate Lime research conducted in September last year indicated Tube strikes are also encouraging cycling.
It found trips on its bikes rose by 54% during a four-day period of industrial action compared with a week earlier.
A survey suggested 28% of Londoners were more likely to consider cycling because of the disruption.
– Lime commissioned research company Opinium to survey 1,000 London adults between April 8 and 13 about the impact of rising fuel prices. Some 825 had a car in their household.
