Lack of secure bike parking for people on low incomes, survey finds

Nearly a third of people on a low income or not in employment in the UK do not have a convenient and secure space to park their cycle at home, a new study by Sustrans reveals.

The study also reveals that 39% of disabled people did not have convenient and secure space to park their cycle at home, as well as 34% of women and 36% of people from an ethnic minority background.

Almost half of people on a low income or not in employment (47%) said they would start cycling or cycle more if they had a place to park their cycle at home which was convenient, secure, safe, and accessible, reports the walking, wheeling and cycling charity.

It estimates that 1.5 million people on a low income or not in employment have been put off buying a cycle due to accommodation restrictions, for example not having a secure, convenient place to park a cycle.

Bike parking is a particularly important issue for people living in flats, the study found, adding that people who live in a flat are far less likely to have a secure (27%) or accessible (23%) place to store a cycle than people who live in a detached house (60% and 58% respectively).

Only 40% of low-income households have access to a cycle in comparison to 59% of households in professional occupations, says the report.

Relatively small and simple changes, for example giving people somewhere secure to keep their cycles, could be transformational for people’s lives, and our transport system, Sustrans believes.

“Improving cycle parking for people is straightforward to implement and would have significant benefits for health, wellbeing and access to education and employment. Local authorities should increase residential cycle parking provision, prioritising flats and areas of deprivation.”

Xavier Brice, Sustrans Chief Executive, said: “Cycling is a low-cost form of transport that opens up employment and education opportunities, as well as boosting health and wellbeing. Yet, millions of people who would benefit most from cycling face a major barrier in having nowhere safe, secure and accessible to store a cycle. 

“This doesn’t have to be the case. Relatively small and simple changes, such as providing somewhere secure to keep their cycles, could be transformational for people’s lives and our transport system. 

“The new UK government has pledged to overhaul transport and tackle inequality. Active travel is at the heart of this – and ensuring no one is left behind is vital. This is a key opportunity to break down barriers to cycling and make sure the benefits are available for everyone.” 

Residential cycle parking: Improving cycle parking for people on a low income or not in employment