Cycling Industry Gives Economy £3bn A Year Boost

[Chatsie]

Cycling generates nearly £3bn a year for the UK economy, a report by the London School of Economics has found.



The figure takes into account factors such as bicycle manufacturing, retail and cycle-related employment.



The report says £51m was raised for UK manufacturers from the 3.7 million cycles sold in 2010 - a rise of 28% on the number of cycles sold in 2009



More than a million people also started cycling last year, bringing the total number of cyclists to 13 million.



Last year more than £1.5bn was spent on bikes and another £850m on accessories, with the LSE estimating that the cycling industry is now worth some £2.9bn a year.



There are now 23,000 people working in cycling, contributing more than £600m to the economy in wages and taxes.



The report also says rising fuel costs, improved cycle networks, concern for the environment, and the pull of the Olympics are all possible factors for the increase in popularity for cycling.





Full Story - Cycling http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14610857



Do you cycle regularly - or even at all ?

 

[Jazzy]

Do you cycle regularly - or even at all ?

I ride my motorcycle (weather permitting) but do not own a bicycle. The migrant orchard workers here where I live all cycle back and forth to the orchards. Other than the migrant workers, I hardly ever see people cycling.

 

[Evil Eye]

Do you cycle regularly - or even at all ?

I do... when it's not my holiday anyway.

Just pumped up the tires an hour ago.