HIGHER FUEL PRICES MEANS CYCLING BOOM, SAYS CTC

CTC ? the UK?s national cyclists? organisation - predicts an extra 1.25 million trips will be made by bicycle every day due to the rising price of petrol and diesel.

After the last oil crisis in 1979 when fuel prices rocketed, cycling increased by almost 40 per cent. With fuel prices higher than ever recorded CTC expects thousands of motorists to leave their cars at home and go to work by bike instead.

CTC Director Kevin Mayne said: ?The amount commuters pay for fuel has a direct correlation with people deciding to take up cycling. Going by bike to work is a cheap, quick, healthy and an environmentally friendly way to commute and as people look to save money where they can, it?s the obvious choice?.

It?s not just commuters who bike to work who save money. According to a study by Cycling England every new cyclist contributes an economic benefit of up to £382 to the nation. So a 40 per cent increase in cycling would provide at least £1bn worth of benefits.

In anticipation of a boom in cycling to work, CTC has rushed forward the launch of the Bike to Work package to support people leaving their cars for bicycles. The package costs £52 per year and includes breakdown assistance, insurance and the benefits of being a CTC member. For more information about CTC?s ?Bike to Work? package see www.ctc.org.uk/commuter.

EXTERNAL LINKS

CTC: www.ctc.org.uk.