'Fun' the main reason to get on two wheels says survey

Fuel and fares costs come lower on list of motivations

Sarah Barth, June 23, 2012

Happy faces at the start...

Earlier this week we reported how Sustrans interviewees on the National Cycle Network cited high fares and fuel costs as reasons to get on their bikes. A new survey says that the primary reason for heading out on two wheels however, is fun.

A new YouGov survey put 'fun' up op of the list of reasons to cycle, with 82 per cent saying it was a factor, followed closely by 'keeping fit' at 78 per cent. Saving money and environmental concerns came rather further down the list, at 39 and 29 per cent respectively.

As BikeBiz points out, the survey of 1089 cyclists in the UK costs £1,750 to read in full, and is aimed at retailers and manufacturers.

“While the tangible benefits of cycling, such as saving money, are acknowledged by the nationally representative group as motivations to cycle, it is clear that more could be done to promote the more ethereal aspects such as stress relief," YouGov SixthSense research director James McCoy told BikeBiz.

"Here, campaigns to encourage employees to try commuting by bicycle, say, for just a week would be ideal."

Tags

I'm having a ball right there

posted by Dave Atkinson [6113 posts] 24th June 2012 - 15:49

I ride for the chicks.

"I can't believe I ate the whole thing..."

posted by Cooks [374 posts] 24th June 2012 - 18:22

No, cyclists ride for fun? I thought we were part of a shadowy conspiracy to bring down the oil-driven global capitalist system.

Oh and to annoy car drivers

posted by jackh [83 posts] 25th June 2012 - 11:12

and to wear lycra in daylight

posted by Sadly Biggins [194 posts] 25th June 2012 - 11:54

I ride so I can eat more potatoes than a pig.

posted by mingmong [121 posts] 25th June 2012 - 12:30

I only ride so I have an excuse to shave my legs..

posted by don_don [146 posts] 25th June 2012 - 12:48

More curry.

More beer.

More biscuits.

More cake.

Same weight/trouser size.

It is, as our American friends say, "a no brainer".

--
"Tant que je respire, j'attaque!"

posted by John_the_Monkey [396 posts] 25th June 2012 - 12:49

and other places don_don or is that just me??

posted by cidermart [294 posts] 25th June 2012 - 13:31

John_the_Monkey wrote:

More curry.

More beer.

More biscuits.

More cake.

Same weight/trouser size.

It is, as our American friends say, "a no brainer".

Ditto - a colleague commented, as I tucked into my third chocolate biscuit of the morning, that she wished she could eat as many. Run and cycle a lot and the weight stays off. I'm, well not young any more, and I've still got the same waist measurement I had 20 years ago and I was fit and not overweight then either.

OldRidgeback

posted by OldRidgeback [1639 posts] 25th June 2012 - 14:13

Cycling to work with hailstones whacking into my face is THE most fun anyone can have? 1089 cyclists.....they have really pushed the boat out there. And they charge £1750 to read it? Next time I am asked for my opinion I will charge I think!

posted by SideBurn [542 posts] 25th June 2012 - 16:23