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Survey reveals new attitudes to cycling, prompted by COVID-19

The latest figures from the Department for Transport show the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on cycling and active transport. The new report, National Travel Attitudes, reveals a 138% increase in people walking or cycling for exercise compared with 2019 and that 34% of those who cycled in 2019 cycled more in 2020.

 

Cycling is one of the very few winners in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but thanks to fears over the safety of public transport, the ‘Stay At Home’ instruction and cycling being listed as an accepted activity for your once-a-day exercise, cycling uptake has increased from 2019 to 2020. The Department for Transport annual survey, conducted in two sampling stages, the first one running from May till July 2020 and the second one running from August till September 2020, revealed some interesting changes in active transport.

A third of people are cycling more

With gyms and swimming pools closed and team sports cancelled, cycling, along with walking and running, has helped save the nation’s physical fitness. Two thirds of those surveyed had “in the past seven days” been out on a bike for essential travel or daily exercise. Of those surveyed, 16% had been on a bike ride for leisure and 10% for transport. 34% of cyclists (those who already cycled in 2019) reported that they had been cycling more than before the outbreak of the coronavirus.

A positive legacy of COVID-19

The survey results suggest that bicycle use will remain higher, even after the pandemic has passed. 95% say they will continue their active travel habit, while 94% intend to walk more. This may be due to concerns over any form of public transport: 90% are concerned by using the London Underground; 88% by air travel and 82% trains. 65% say they will be less likely to use crowded services than prior to the pandemic. All factors that are driving people towards personal transport solutions such as walking, cycling and, unfortunately for congestion levels, driving.

Supporting the surge in cycling

With such a shift in attitudes away from public transport towards active travel, it would seem the time is ripe for the UK to improve its provision for cyclists. But something strange is afoot. Despite widespread public support for increased cycling infrastructure, local authorities are removing bike lanes, thanks to the actions of a vocal minority. CyclingUK, the national cycling organisation behind many high-profile campaigns, is asking it’s members and all cyclists to ‘beat the bike-lash’ by speaking up for cycling in their local area.

Has COVID-19 changed your attitude to cycling?

Are you cycling more than you used to because of the coronavirus pandemic? Are you new to cycling having needed an alternative way to get around? We’d love to hear from you and welcome any cycling questions you might have. We have a supportive community of cyclists on our Facebook and Twitter channels – come and join us for a chat!

For more information about our services or to start your claim, call 0808 100 9995 and speak to one of our specialist solicitors. We’re here to help. You can email us or schedule a callback.

Written By:

Emily Pheysey

Litigation Executive

Emily has over 7 years of experience in the legal sector, handling road traffic accident claims to recover compensation and support her clients. Her focus is to ensure all clients feel comfortable and at ease with the claims process so that they can focus on their recovery.

Emily considers rapport to be an essential part of the role and strives to always provide excellent client care.

Away from work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling as much possible.

Diane Holderness

Litigation Executive

Diane is a Ministry of Justice (TOJ) Team Leader within our Cycle Department. She has 11 years’ experience managing road traffic accident claims, and 6 years’ experience managing MOJ claims.

Diane enjoys a challenge and always strives for the very best results for her customers; something that is clear in the way her team continually adapts its strategies in order to secure the most desired outcome. Diane has worked her way through the legal ranks here, and is proud to now have a strong, specialist team that is committed to customer satisfaction.

Diane believes that happy clients make a happy working environment, and it is this that ensures a productive and efficient workforce.

Nina Haddock

Chartered Legal Executive

Nina has over 30 years’ experience in the legal sector. She specialises in recovering compensation for injury claimants as a result of road traffic accidents. Her focus for each and every claim is to help her clients secure the funding that they need to pay for ongoing treatment and support.

Nina became a CILEX Fellow in 2006 and now helps her clients and their families at a time when they have been through a traumatic experience, and everything they hold dear to them appears to be changing.

One case Nina is particularly proud of is supporting a client who had successfully sought asylum in the UK, following a road traffic accident. The claim was successfully pursued through the MIB and the client was left with significant injuries. Her client was able to use the compensation to aid family members with their applications to seek asylum in the UK.

Julian Fox

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Julian qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and has worked in all areas of personal injury since 2000. Julian has a well-rounded understanding of personal injury law, having represented both claimants and defendants.

Julian always aims for maximum damages to meet his clients’ needs for injury and rehabilitation expenses, and can often secure interim payments to help meet clients’ financial needs. Julian is highly proactive in ensuring cases are progressed, ensuring a timely conclusion.

When not at the office, Julian is a keen cyclist, both on roads and virtually -he will often do an hour of ‘Zwifting’ in the mornings before starting work.

Richard Atherton

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Richard has 12 years of legal experience and qualified as a Solicitor in February 2014. He has been a Team Manager with us since 2019. Throughout his career, Richard has specialised in personal injury, handling an array of Road Traffic Accident cases, in addition to employer and public liability.

Richard prides himself on his very strong strategic and planning skills, which come into their own in complex injury cases where more technical arguments are involved. On every case, he is committed to ensuring that his clients receive full compensation for their injuries.

Away from work, Richard enjoys sport; he is a season ticket holder at St Helens Rugby Club and a Liverpool FC fan. Not only a spectator, Richard also likes going to play golf as often as he can.

Dave Gardner

Litigation Executive

Dave has over 20 years of experience in the legal sector. His specialism is personal injury and he has dealt with hundreds of cycling injury claims during his career. Excellent client care and communication is paramount to Dave. He prides himself on being accessible and available, attending court hearings where damages are in dispute to ensure the best outcome for his clients. One case Dave is particularly proud of is when he supported an elderly client who suffered serious injuries following a road traffic incident. The police had not taken any action against the defendant, so Dave had to be proactive and act within a 24-hour window. The case proceeded and the client was in receipt of £30,000 in damages, which he would not have been entitled to had the client not approached Dave. He is also an avid supporter of Glasgow Rangers and travelled abroad on many occasions to see them play in European competitions.

Gerard Horton

Partner

Gerard is a Senior Solicitor at Cycle SOS. In his 13 years of experience, Gerard has built a national reputation in the catastrophic injury sector, dealing with high value and complex cases. Alongside his legal role, Gerard supports several charities including Headway Central Lancashire, Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and spinal injury charity, Back Up.

Julia Eyton

Partner

Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Cycle SOS team.

Specialising in representing those who have had life changing injuries, Julia handles some of the most serious and complex personal injury cases both within Cycle SOS and nationally.

She often works on high value claims and is skilled in winning complex liability cases.

NADIA KERR

Partner

Nadia has over 30 years of legal expertise and has represented hundreds of vulnerable road users. With a focus on ensuring timely rehabilitation, speedy repair or replacement of bikes and kit, and securing fair compensation, Nadia is committed to advocating for justice and client rights. Alongside her legal career, Nadia actively participates in national campaigns to benefit vulnerable road users and acts as a Trustee/Director for the national cycling charity, Cycling UK. Nadia was named in Cycling UK’s ‘100 women’ and was a founding member, now running a women’s cycling group, TeamGlow in South Manchester. Among her many achievements, Nadia takes pride in her spot on BBC Breakfast, where she provided expert commentary on long term government funding for pothole repairs.

Caroline Morris

DIRECTOR OF SERIOUS INJURY

Caroline has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years, recovering more than £56 million in damages during that time, to help clients rebuild their lives after injury.

Caroline is committed to achieving rehabilitation options early, meaning her clients benefits from the best care and treatment at the earliest stage possible.