Almost 20% of Scottish workers say they are considering commuting by bike when the lockdown ends, according to new research.

A poll carried out on behalf of the Livingston-based Shand Cycles found that hundreds of thousands of Scots could avoid cars and public transport altogether when they return to work.

It comes as the proportion of people who said they were comfortable using trains and buses fell to 30% last week, according to Transport Focus.

Almost 20% of Scottish workers say they are considering commuting by bike when the lockdown ends, according to new research.

Ann Ritchie-Cox, General Manager of Shand Cycles, said: “As the nation goes back to work, social distancing is going to be a huge challenge for those who previously used rush-hour public transport.

“So all the evidence points to a shift in behaviour towards trying out alternative modes of transport – including the bicycle.

“It’s vital that both employers and the Government take steps to make it as safe and comfortable as possible for commuter cyclists,” she added.

Towns and cities around Scotland are considering a variety of measures to help the public maintain social distancing after the lockdown is lifted, including major changes to transport infrastructure.

In Edinburgh, the council plans to improve cycling and walking routes by widening pavements and closing some of the city’s most famous streets to traffic.

Duncan Dollimore, Head of Campaigns at Cycling UK, called on local authorities to protect the growing number of people choosing to cycle.

“For many, that means being separated from motor traffic as the roads become busier,” he said, “otherwise cycling to work won’t look like the natural choice it should be for short journeys.

“It’s about enabling people to cycle not just encouraging, which means local authorities must act immediately to install pop-up cycle lanes and temporary infrastructure that makes cycling a safe, socially distancing alternative for their commute to work.”

Shand Cycles’s new study found that commuters would be willing to endure a ride to work of 29 minutes or less on average.

Men would pedal for 31 minutes, while female respondents capped their tolerance at 27 minutes.

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One fifth of Scots considering cycling to work once lockdown ends

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