Discount voucher scheme would get more people on low incomes cycling, study finds

Nearly two million people in the UK want to cycle or cycle more but face barriers because they are on a low income or not working. This is a key finding of new research by Sustrans, which found that inequality stops many people from reaping the benefits of cycling, including financial savings, health and getting around.

At a local level, schemes offer cheap or free cycles, but these vary across the country and target people in specific circumstances, for example those seeking work or in education, says the walking, wheeling and cycling charity.

Some 38% told the study that purchasing a cycle would be unaffordable to them compared with 32% who thought purchasing a cycle was affordable.

More women saw cost as a barrier to cycling than men, with 42% of female respondents saying that purchasing a cycle would be unaffordable compared to only 33% of male respondents.

Currently, millions of people can get discounts of 30% - 42% through the Cycle to Work scheme, while people on low or no income are excluded as they do not meet the scheme’s entry criteria, states the Cycling Opportunity report.

It calls for a parallel initiative to the Cycle to Work scheme to support those on low income or out of work.

The Cycle to Work scheme’s modelling reveals that a 40% discount voucher - aligned to the discounts available via Cycle to Work - would have an annual economic benefit of £60m, at a cost of £18m.

The benefits to society of a voucher scheme to help those on low or no income cycle far outweigh the cost of giving discounts, according to the study.

It estimates that more than a third of people on low incomes (37%) want to start cycling, or cycle more.

Some 14% of people (1.6 million) on low income or not in employment would be “very likely” to use a voucher scheme providing 40% off retail cost. Sustrans estimates that around 100,000 people per year could take up this scheme.

Only 30% of people on a low income or not in employment have access to a cycle. Previously, data from Sustrans’ Walking and Cycling Index(2) found 59% of people in professional occupations have access to a cycle.

Cheaper cycles alone will not be enough to change the transport behaviour of most people, Sustrans points out. High quality cycling infrastructure, giving people routes away from traffic, is another vital part of getting more people cycling, according to the study.

The National Cycle Network, managed by Sustrans, is made up of almost 13,000 miles of off-road paths and quiet routes.  This, says the study, would provide the “perfect environment for people to learn to cycle and build confidence”.  

But more coordinated long-term investment is required in cycling infrastructure across the country, it adds.

Chief executive of Sustrans Xavier Brice said: “A new UK Government brings new opportunities. Their focus on the economy, opportunity and health is critical, and integrating transport with walking, wheeling and cycling must be a part of this. To include those at all economic levels in this is a priority, or we risk leaving two million people to the dangers of transport poverty.”

Brice added: “The opportunity to get more people cycling is right here for the taking. The Cycle to Work scheme has existed for 25 years. Why shouldn’t the same opportunities be extended to the people that need it most - now?”

Vivienne Jackson, Programme Manager at funders of the report Financial Fairness Trust, said: “We know access to transport is a key barrier to employment for people on lower incomes. It’s not right that people on a low income can’t access discount cycle schemes that are available to others. If the government is serious about getting people into work and growing the economy, implementing a Cycle-to-Work style scheme for people who are unemployed or on low incomes seems like an obvious solution, and will have other benefits too.” 

The Cycling Opportunity