A COMMUNITY organisation has started tracking the amount of people cycling in Winchester, using the results to try and make the city more cycling friendly.

At the beginning of the year, Cycle Winchester launched a study looking at Winchester cyclists and the routes they follow. The action group has now published its second set of results revealing a diverse range of people who prefer to get around by bike and a 35 per cent increase in cyclists from winter to summer.

The action group, led by passionate Winchester residents seeking to improve the city and the environment by helping more people cycle, put the increase between winter and summer down to better weather. Inferring that more people are willing to commute by bike with the longer daylight hours, whilst the warmer weather encourages an increase in leisure cycling.

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Secretary of Cycle Winchester, Rob Jordan said: “It's very early days for the survey. As far as we know, no-one has ever attempted to count the number of people cycling in the city. We decided to make a start, so that we can track numbers increasing as the improved facilities promised by the councils (Hampshire and Winchester City) begin to be rolled out.

“Our survey shows that around 500 people are getting around the city by bike on a typical weekday morning. In a way it's pleasing, because some people seem to think cycling is a very 'niche' way of getting around, and that's clearly not true. But we think there is potential for this to increase massively if safer cycling routes are built. When that happens there will be huge benefits for residents and for the city: less pollution, lower carbon emissions, a healthier population, and quieter, more pleasant streets.

“Our main conclusion is that there are many residents who prefer to use a bike to get around the city; and they do not fit neatly into any stereotype. They span a wide range of ages and incomes; they are certainly not all lean lycra-clad athletes; some carry children, shopping or tools of a trade. They struggle to navigate road layouts that are difficult to cross by bike. We think safe cycling routes will be a massive improvement for all of us, and could help some of the motorists to switch their journey from car to bike.”

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The community action group believes that safer cycling routes in Winchester is the main factor in getting more people to use their bicycle in Winchester. The club secretary, from just outside the city centre, added: “When we have safe routes, more people will cycle, and everyone will see the benefits: less pollution, lower carbon emissions, a healthier population, and quieter, more pleasant streets.”

For the full the report 'Winchester Cyclist Count: Summer 2022' go to cyclewinchester.org.uk/cycle-data/winchester-cyclist-count-summer-2022/.

Cycle Winchester is set to host its sixth 'Mass Ride' on October 1, 2022 with everyone with a bike welcome.

The voluntary group, established in 2017, meets monthly and is always looking for more people to get involved. For more go to cyclewinchester.org.uk/.