£1bn benefit to the economy as millions more journeys take place on National Cycle Network

Sustrans has estimated that usage of the National Cycle Network resulted in £1 billion worth of savings in 2013. There were an extra 50 million journeys made on the National Cycle Network in 2013, a 7 percent increase over 2012. These figures are in a new Sustrans report, “Millions of people on the move”. This reveals that walkers and cyclists made 748 million journeys on the National Cycle Network in 2013, delivering an overall benefit of £1 billion to the UK economy.

The £1 billion was calculated by adding up £803 million health benefits derived from physical activity, £215 million in potential fuel savings for individuals (which is a loss to the economy, of course) and £25 million worth of potential carbon savings as a result of active travel journeys.

Over a third of users of the National Cycle Network could have driven but chose not to, helping to ease congestion by saving 157 million car journeys, claims Sustrans.

Traffic-free walking and cycling routes often generate ten times more than they cost in less than ten years, said Sustrans. This is a much higher return on investment than other forms of transport.

Sustrans is calling on governments to recognise the economic benefits of cycling and walking and dedicate £10 per head per year to help turn the tide on rising levels of physical inactivity.

Malcolm Shepherd, Sustrans Chief Executive said:

“Official data shows levels of cycling and walking to be in long term decline, but year on year we are seeing increases in the number of people taking to the National Cycle Network both by bike and foot.

“The rise in the number of people using the National Cycle Network shows that there is a demand for safe, convenient and welcoming walking and cycling routes but too many people still feel threatened by traffic danger on the roads.

“Governments must match this demand with dedicated funding to walking and cycling and by reducing traffic speeds on our roads to create the kind of environment which encourages people to leave the car at home.

“Walking and cycling has the potential to be a silver bullet for the UK’s health as well as delivering billions of pounds in economic benefits but we urgently need safer roads to make this happen.”