Brits like to cycle in their spare time

14 January 2010

A new survey from consumer market research company Mintel suggests that more Britons are going on cycling holidays than before.

According to the research, 30 per cent more people went on cycling-specific holidays in 2006 than in previous years, with bicycles featuring in some way in around two million of all holidays taken.

Over 16 per cent of all UK adults surveyed have been on a cycling holiday before, while 12 per cent would like to go on one in the future.

Senior travel consultant at Mintel Richard Cope said: "Britain is becoming a nation of cycling enthusiasts. Cycling has been given a new lease of life by recent environmental issues such as sustainable transport, carbon emissions and eco travel."

It is thought that awareness of carbon emissions, as well as having the Tour de France in London has made cycling grow in popularity, with many city councils now encouraging workers to take their bike to work. Recent figures from Transport for London have indicated that nearly half a million journeys in London are taken by bike every day.