Sustainable transport charity Sustrans says the Department for Transport’s new figures showing a decline in cycling and walking is ‘alarming’ when they ‘could be the silver bullet for the UK’s air pollution, congestion and physical inactivity woes’.

11 December 2014 – Today the Department for Transport released the Transport Statistics for Great Britain 2014. The statistics revealed:
- Cycling and walking have both steadily declined since 1995
- 43 per cent of people in the UK own a bike, yet just 2 per cent cycle
- Cyclists and pedestrians are disproportionately affected by road casualties, with 19 per cent and 36 per cent respectively, killed or seriously injured on urban roads

Responding to the news, Sustrans Head of Campaigns, Claire Francis, said: “Cycling and walking could be the silver bullet for the UK’s air pollution, congestion and physical inactivity woes so it’s alarming to see the number of people choosing to travel by foot or bike is in steady decline.

“The government must act urgently to reverse this trend, by committing to long-term, sustained investment – the Infrastructure Bill, which is currently before the UK Parliament, presents a golden opportunity for this to happen.

“Cyclists and pedestrians represent a disproportionately large number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads – 19 per cent and 36 per cent respectively in urban areas – so it is little wonder people feel forced off the streets, sheltering from traffic danger in their cars.”

For further information, please visit www.sustrans.org.uk