A new report has emphasised the many advantages that more cyclists on the roads bring to the economy, though warnings concerning road safety could affect the numbers expected to take it up in the future.

The report, from the London School of Economics, which has been published by Sky and British Cycling, found that cycling raises almost £3bn for the British economy through the approximately 13 million cyclists in the UK, taking on average, one day less off work due to sickness compared to non-cyclists. This alone saves the economy £128m per year and the report says that a 20% increase in the number of cyclists over the next four years could save the economy £2bn over the next decade through reduced absenteeism. The report's author Dr Alexander Grous adds that it brings real social and economic benefits as well as having a positive effect on the environment.

However the possibility of ever greater number of cyclists on the roads in future years is under threat due to concerns over cyclists road safety, highlighted by the serious injury received by Paralympic cycling champion Simon Richardson last week. Martin Gibbs, British Cycling's policy and legal affairs director, said there are too many worries of this nature and added: "If the government is looking to get people to ride their bikes more, then there's a responsibility to make sure the roads are as safe as they can be."

British Cycling said that part of the solution would be for motorists and cyclists to have a mutual respect which is often lacking, while members of the group also expressed hopes that some road layouts could be changed to help encourage cycling.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/wheels-of-fortune-how-cycling-became-a-1633bnayear-industry-2341657.html