Cycling

What is Cycling?

Cycling describes not only riding bicycles for recreation, but also the professional sport.

Cycling is thought to have a number of benefits both to the individual, in economic and health terms, and to society generally, particularly as an environmentally friendly means of transport.


Background

Cycling is generally believed to have begun in the early 1800s, with the development of the earliest bikes. Early bikes were commonly made from wood, had three wheels and lacked brakes and rubber tyres.

The 'Penny Farthing' - also known as the 'high' or 'ordinary' bicycle - was invented in 1871 by James Starley. It succeeded earlier models known as the 'Hobbyhorse', and the 'Velocipede' or 'Boneshaker'.

The bicycle of the modern age, sometimes referred to as the 'safety bicycle', was first produced in 1892. Since this time the bike has evolved enormously, with the concept of cycling as a sport and the demands of various terrains as the principal catalysts for change.

Perhaps the most renowned cycling event is the 'Tour De France' - an annual event dating back to 1903, involving cyclists from around the world, traversing France, through a variety of terrains and culminating at L'Arc de Triomph in Paris. The 2003 tour involved 22 teams of some 198 riders.


Controversies

Successive Governments have tried to encourage cycling as a healthy alternative to motor transport.

Cycle lanes have been constructed, lockers provided and measures have been introduced to reduce theft, such as serial number stamping schemes.

For example, the London Cycling Action Plan' was launched in 2003 by Transport for London with the objective of encouraging cycle use in the capital. The overall aim of the plan is to treble cycle use, with a forecast target of an 80 per cent increase in cycling by 2010.

Nonetheless, Britain, and London in particular, does not have the cycling culture that prevails in some other European countries and cities.

The British weather, safety concerns and security fears are all thought to discourage people from cycling. Environmental groups say that the movement of facilities and services out of city and town centres is also to blame.

To encourage more cycling, cycling campaigners want cycle routes to be extended where possible, and better integration of cycling and public transport to enable longer distance sustainable transport and travel.

One recent controversy was Labour MP Eric Martlew's failed attempt to compel young cyclists to wear safety helmets.

Mr Martlew's Protective Headgear for Young Cyclists Bill proposed to fine parents that failed to make their children under-16 wear head protection when cycling on the road, or in a public park or recreation ground.

The Carlisle MP said the Bill would reduce child deaths and argued that similar laws had successfully been in place in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Spain, the Czech Republic, parts of the United States and Canada.

However, opponents of the Bill said that it would result in a dramatic fall in cycle use and could criminalise young cyclists and the Bill failed.


Statistics

117.1kph/72.74mph is the current world land speed record for a human-powered vehicle. This record was set in 2000

In terms of all road traffic, cycling declined from 37 per cent in 1949 to just one per cent in 1995

Cycling is in the top five sporting activities for all ages and both sexes. The percentage of General Household Survey respondents who reported having cycled in the previous year increased from 15 per cent in 1987, to 19 per cent in 1993

Approximately 1.4 million cycles are owned in London, roughly one for every five people

Only 1.4 per cent of journeys in London are made by cycle. This compares to 4.5 per cent in Vienna, 10 per cent in Berlin, 20 per cent in Copenhagen and 28 per cent in Amsterdam.

Statistic 1: (Source: World Sport website, 2003); Statistics 2 and 3: (Source: Department of Transport, 'Cycling in Britain', 1996); Statistics 4 and 5: (Source: Transport for London, 2003)


Quotes

"The Mayor's and Transport for London's vision is to make London a city where people of all ages, abilities and communities have the confidence and incentive to cycle whenever it suits them. Cycling is integral to the Mayor's vision to develop London as an exemplary sustainable world city."

Transport for London, 2003

"Cycling is an economical, environmentally friendly and healthy mode of transport. It is also a realistic means of transport, especially for short local trips which make up many of our everyday journeys."

Department of Transport, 'Cycling in Britain', 1996