Data shows that the amount of cyclists within Leeds is at an all time high this year and has almost doubled since 2018. This is due to the Covid-19 pandemic which saw a rise in the sport due to it being a source of exercise during the months of lockdown. It is also a way of getting to places without having to be in close contact with others.
In the year 2020, miles cycled per person increased by 62% compared to that in 2019. It surged from 54 miles per person to 88 miles per person, which is the highest it has been since 2002.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic ‘Connecting Leeds’ have began to implement trails to permit active travel within the city. A map of new possible cycle lanes and routes was created in 2020 by a public consultation in which they are planning to spend £7 million on. Their aim is to create safer cycle lanes and introduce new cycle links.
Leeds city council created the ‘Leeds Public Cycle Forum’ in the hope to encourage more people to partake in cycling and to give people the opportunity to talk with likeminded people about the sport.
Daniel Bell, an employee at Evans Cycles, spoke to Leeds Now regarding the impact coronavirus had on bike sales. He said that “across the industry we saw a massive increase in demand for bikes and bike accessories and the uptake of cycling was huge.” He believes that the reason people took up cycling during lockdown was because “the roads were far less busy with traffic and also because there were fewer buses and trains. Equally, those who didn’t need to get to work were using the extra leisure time for fitness and spending time with their families.”
He also touched on the affect the increase in cyclists has on the environment. “I am part of a group in Leeds who are interested in reducing the cause of climate change. There are loads of people out there calling for e-bikes that they could have access to.” This would make it much more accessible for people to choose cycling as a way of transportation throughout the city rather than using cars, buses or rail services. This would have a positive impact on the amount of carbon emissions being produced within the city and would decrease Leeds’ carbon footprint.
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