Rising fuel prices are prompting nearly three out of 10 London drivers to cycle more or seriously consider it, according to a new survey. The poll, commissioned by e-bike rental company Lime, found that 29% of motorists in the capital are either increasing their cycling or thinking about making the switch because of increasing costs at the pump.
Shift Toward Cycling
A further 15% of respondents indicated they would switch to cycling if petrol and diesel prices continue to climb. The trend is particularly pronounced among younger Londoners, with 44% of drivers aged 18 to 34 cycling more or considering it.
The survey comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Restrictions on tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz have pushed the average price of a litre of petrol to 26p more than before the conflict began on February 28, while diesel is 44p more expensive.
Expert Perspectives
Alice Pleasant, senior public affairs manager at Lime, acknowledged that cycling “won’t replace every journey,” but for many it offers a “practical, low-cost way to get to where they need to go.” She added: “Rising petrol prices are the latest in a number of factors prompting a shift in how Londoners travel, with many drivers actively rethinking their reliance on cars. More people are starting to look for alternatives that are affordable and flexible – cycling being the obvious choice.”
Tom Fyans, chief executive of the London Cycling Campaign, said: “Cycling more is an ideal way to beat surging prices at the pump. It’s not only cheap and will stay cheap – it’s also healthy, very safe in London and helps us do our bit in not feeding global instability.”
Previous Research
Separate Lime research conducted in September last year indicated that Tube strikes also encourage cycling. Trips on Lime bikes rose by 54% during a four-day period of industrial action compared with a week earlier, and 28% of Londoners said they were more likely to consider cycling because of the disruption.
The latest survey was conducted by research company Opinium on behalf of Lime, polling 1,000 London adults between April 8 and 13. Of those, 825 had a car in their household.
