New research from Direct Line Cycling Insurance reveals that commuters are being increasingly discouraged from cycling into work by a number of factors, and those who do ride in face a dilemma on where to store their bike. While an estimated £1 billion worth of bikes are used to commute every day across the UK, the research suggests that as many as 1.5 million cyclists are deterred by the lack of bike storage facilities at their workplace.

 

The research shows a correlation between the amount spent on bikes and frequency of using it to commute to work, with those who cycle into work everyday spending £873 on average on their bike – 58 per cent higher than average (£554) and more than twice the amount (108 per cent) spent by those who cycle into work less than once a month (£420). The study also reveals that Britain is a nation of bike lovers, with nearly two million people (13 per cent of cyclists) having spent more than £1,000 on their bike.

Over half of cyclists (56 per cent) use their bike to commute to work, with a fifth (20 per cent, or 1.2 million) cycling every day. However, some 2.1 million Brits (20 per cent), cycle to work less frequently due to the lack of facilities available in their place of work. 1.5 million commuters (14 per cent) state that their office doesn’t have enough cycle storage or that the storage facilities were taken away, with a further eight per cent revealing that they used to have storage, but it has since been removed due to reduced office space. Additionally, 12 per cent said that their office does not have enough showers and changing rooms to accommodate their cycling needs.

Table one: Biggest barriers to cycle to work more frequently

Barriers to cycling to work

Percentage of people

Number of people

The office not having suitable storage facilities

20 per cent

2.1 million

The office being too far away

29 per cent

3.1 million

Variable weather conditions

25 per cent

2.6 million

Dangerous cycle route

25 per cent

2.6 million

Difficult cycle route

17 per cent

1.8 million

Not having time

15 per cent

1.6 million

The office not having suitable showering or changing facilities

12 per cent

1.3 million

Having no interest in cycling to work more frequently

10 per cent

1.1 million

All cyclists who are prevented from cycling to work more frequently

85 per cent

9.1 million

Direct Line Cycling Insurance, 2022

Despite this, it is clear that cycling to work is the most cost-effective transport option, with the estimated cost of storing a bike for the year being as little as £78, which is a fraction of the average annual cost of public transport2 (£348).

Vincent Guadagnino, Communications Manager for Direct Line Cycling Insurance said: “There has been a huge rise in the number of commuters choosing to cycle since the pandemic. However, despite the considerable health, cost and environmental benefits, the research suggests that millions of adults are being deterred from cycling in to work.

“With more than £1 billion worth of bikes left unattended when their owners are at work every day, it is vital that cyclists take the necessary steps to secure their bike. If secure facilities aren’t available, we would encourage cyclists to invest more in equipment such as locks or specialist cycling insurance to ensure that cyclists are still able to do what they love without having to worry about the safety of their bike.”

Direct Line Cycling Insurance provides comprehensive cover for bikes both at and away from home, paying out for theft and accidental or malicious damage. For further information on policies or approved safety measures, please visit  https://www.directline.com/cycling-insurance.