More cycle routes would be good for drivers, says AA President
Posted on in Business News, Cycles News
AA President Edmund King has told the Daily Telegraph that more cycle routes would be good for drivers, as encouraging motorists to take fewer journeys by car could cut household fuel costs and reduce congestion on the roads for other drivers.
“Even though we're a motoring organisation, that doesn't mean you need to use your motor all the time,” Mr King said.
“And journeys under a mile and a half are in many ways the most expensive way to use a car, because your car's not warmed up, you're only going a short distance, and you've got to pay to park.”
Fuel prices have begun to rise again, hitting £1.62 a litre for petrol and £1.82 for diesel on Monday, though are still below their summer peak of £2 a litre.
The Department for Transport is reported to be considering cutting the remaining £700m of the £2bn Active Travel Fund as it seeks to respond to the prime minister's calls for efficiencies across Government.
The AA says around a fifth of its members are regular cyclists, with more saying they would like to cycle but are put off by a lack of safety and bike paths. Around half of AA members said they would consider using a bicycle to replace one or more car journeys per week.
Replacing more car journeys with walking or cycling would also help eliminate congestion and make it easier and quicker for drivers to get around, Mr King said.
AA research during the Covid lockdowns found that reducing motor traffic between five to 10 per cent was the difference between having traffic flowing or stop-start journeys.
"It doesn't have to be a massive cut, but can make a big difference," Mr King said.
Cycling levels have risen steadily this year amid the cost-of-living crisis, reaching twice as high as pre pandemic levels on some days this summer.
The AA and other groups have written to Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Transport Secretary, to urge her to protect funding for active travel.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “We have invested record amounts to enable more walking, wheeling and cycling through better infrastructure, cycle training and active travel prescriptions, and are committed to ensuring active travel remains high on our agenda.”
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