Update 12pm: For the avoidance of any doubt, this article was published on the morning of April Fools’ Day and is untrue. 

Drivers are being encouraged to cycle to their local petrol stations to buy fuel, as part of a latest effort to drive down demand in response to shortages caused by the war in Iran.

Since the conflict began earlier this year, global oil trade has plummeted due to blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, a key passageway for global trade and major access route for several oil-producing countries in the region. Yesterday, Iran confirmed it would be imposing tolls on ships wishing to access the Strait to ensure the ‘safe passage’ of ships until American and Israeli strikes on the country ceased.

However, BP has used the crisis to promote the financial savings that can be made by reducing fuel usage, by encouraging customers to cycle to its local petrol stations as part of a new Pedal for Petrol programme. 

In a statement, the company said: “We fully acknowledge the price concerns that all BP customers have been raising since the war in Iran began. As a company with a proud reputation, it is vital that we cause no further tear (or oil) spills for our customers and shareholders.

“Most vehicular journeys are self-serving, towards the maintenance of the vehicles and a motornormative framework of living. Our plan is to encourage drivers to cycle, for the narrow and specific purpose of sustaining their automotive needs and nothing more. By doing so, drivers can enjoy financial savings of up to 100 percent compared to the fuel costs of using their car for that journey.”

Speculation that the fuel industry would react to the oil shortages caused by the conflict in the Middle East has grown in recent weeks. BP’s Special Envoy for the Middle East, John O’Keefe-Evans, warned at a recent meeting of the Board of Peace that the journeys drivers were making to buy petrol were eating into their energy reserves that they had planned to set aside for private aircraft and AI data centres.

Lime bike and e-scooter
Lime bike and e-scooter (Image Credit: Lime)

One policy proposal understood to be favoured by the industry is a partnership with electric hire bike providers to enable riders to ferry petrol from their nearest forecourt to their drive or garage. 

When approached by road.cc, Lime’s Deputy Director Avril Le Fou confirmed that “discussions have been opened” with several petrol station chains about adding large, industrial-size panniers and other “methods of fuel transportation to their fleet.” 

However, Le Fou could not confirm the rumour that rope and detachable towbars would be provided for customers who wished to buy petrol or diesel in larger quantities, and thus preferred to tow the rolling barrel to their home.

BP’s announcement is not the first time a petroleum company has promoted the merits of the bicycle for the benefits of the automotive industry. Shell’s partnership with British Cycling is said to have contributed to membership numbers of the UK’s governing body for cycling falling by 15,000 in two years, with the partnership subsequently found to have brought “legal and reputational risk” to the sport.

Further details of BP’s Pedal for Petrol programme can be found on its website.