Drivers urged to get on their bikes

Back

Swapping short car journeys for bike rides could save Britons more than £2.5 billion a year on fuel and car insurance, it's been claimed.

Cycling England said there's never been a better time to use pedal power with petrol prices soaring to £1.20 a litre and beyond.

Using a bicycle for trips under five miles would save on petrol and reduce car insurance premiums, a spokesman said. By cutting the number of miles driven a year, motorists are likely to see the benefits when renewing their car insurance.

The organisation is also urging people to take to their bicycles during this week's Bike Week to rediscover the health and environmental benefits of cycling.

Phillip Darnton, chairman of Cycling England, said: "The credit crunch means there has never been a better time to take part in Bike Week and start cycling.

"Over half of all journeys are under five miles long, as we pop to the shops or do the school run - and yet swapping short journeys like this with a 30 minute bike ride could save the UK £2.5 billion a year.

"You will work off the cost of a new bike in only a few weeks by filling the tank less regularly - a genuine carbon and financial offset."

Get a car insurance or home insurance quote now