More people in Bolton cycled at least once a week last year than in 2022, new figures show. The charity Cycling UK said many councils have invested in improving infrastructure, despite cycling remaining below pre-pandemic levels nationally. Figures from the Active Lives Survey from Sport England, compiled by the Department for Transport, show 5.
1 per cent of people in Bolton were cycling at least once a week in the year to November 2023 – up from 3.5 per cent the year before. In 2019, before the pandemic, 5.
3 per cent said they were cycling at least once a week in the area. Across the country, 10.1 per cent of people reported cycling weekly, up from 9.
3 per cent the previous year, but still below pre-pandemic levels, when 11.2 per cent did so. READ NEXT > Alpaca centre welcomes three adorable additions including 'miracle' READ NEXT > Horwich Health Hub car park to cost council up to a million Sarah McMonagle, director of external affairs at Cycling UK, said: “Although it’s true that the percentage of people who cycle regularly in England has dropped slightly in recent years, there are fewer people regularly using all modes of transport, except for walking and motorcycling, than in 2019.
“This is due to a myriad of factors, but the rise of remote working post-pandemic is likely a significant one. “The truth is, most roads in England lack joined up cycle lanes or bike parking and where they do exist, they’re often inconsistent and sub-standard and this plays a big p.