Cycling

•    The pandemic has made almost everyone realise the benefits of cycling.

•    Some media-led pushback to increased cycling levels exists but this is often down to the mythical existence of road tax (abolished in 1937) and the notion that drivers pay for the roads (All Sudbury roads are funded from council tax)

•    The lockdown led to a fall to 30% of normal traffic levels on Sudbury and on nearby roads. The government recommended cycling as a good form of exercise.

•    The lower traffic levels made cycling on Sudbury roads relatively safe compared to pre lockdown traffic and road safety levels.

•    This resulted in a great expansion in the number of people cycling and the demand for bicycles and servicing of bicycles.

•    Our local cycle shops are inundated with work but are finding it almost impossible to source new bikes due to national demand and global supply issues.

•    Post lockdown traffic has returned to at least 70% of pre-lockdown traffic levels and probably more than that.

•    Electric bikes are now commonplace and are likely to account for 50% of all new bicycle sales. Electric bikes now make it possible for people with various disabilities and health conditions or advancing age to take up cycling, reducing car dependency and improving cardio-vascular health.