Cycling: lockdown habit to lifestyle choice

We may remember 2020 for years to come with national and regional lockdowns becoming the norm, a cancelled Christmas and a continuation of restrictions into 2021.

Despite the upheaval of daily life, there have been some upsides. For instance, we’ve seen a rise in ‘lockdown hobbies’. With some no longer having to commute and generally, a greater awareness of the mental health implications of the pandemic, there’s also been a focus on health and fitness,¹ and appreciation for the environment and sustainability.²

Cycling has proven to be a popular and accessible method of keeping fit with an extra million cyclists on the UK roads during April-June 2020³. Since March, cycling retailers have seen sales grow by 60% and sales of e-bikes more than doubled in the same period. At the end of last year, the UK cycling market was expected to be worth £2.2billion.³

Rise of electric vehicles

Although we all hope the end of the pandemic is in sight with the rollout of vaccines, many of our new habits and hobbies are likely to remain, including the focus on sustainability. As well as the rise in bikes and e-bikes, there are other factors pushing us towards more sustainable means of travel. With the recent announcement on the ban on petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030⁴, we can reasonably expect to see a rise in electric vehicles over the next few years.

In light of this, it’s thought that the typical UK household vehicle ownership model will change, with more choosing not to purchase a vehicle outright but exploring other options instead⁵. Switching to cycling as a mode of travel could become more viable, especially as towns and cities develop to accommodate this with £2billion earmarked specifically for cyclist and pedestrian infrastructure investment by the UK Government.⁶

Risks associated with cycling

Although beneficial in so many ways, cycling does pose risks which aren’t always considered by riders and owners. In a recent survey of regular cyclists by BikeBiz, 35% of respondents have been injured whilst cycling in the past 12 months.⁷

In addition, there are situations where a cyclist may find themselves in a potential legal dispute. This could include:

Buying, selling or renting a bike
Buying a service associated with cycling
Personal injury from a motorist or due to a hazard such as an unkept pothole.

Risk of dual legal expenses insurance

Cycling insurance is available as a standalone policy and can typically include legal expenses with an indemnity in the tens of thousands. This would cover legal fees if the policyholder pursued a legal action for personal injury. If a cyclist does take out a policy of this nature, there’s a risk that they may be duplicating cover they already have under their home or motor policy if that has legal expenses cover included, so being familiar with the cover you have purchased is always important.

Here to stay?

With so many benefits to cycling, it seems likely that its popularity will continue to grow. However, with the benefits also come risks that cyclists will need to be aware of and, where relevant, ensure they’re covered by appropriate insurance and access to legal support.

About the author

Mike Wildy

Senior Business Developer
Allianz Legal Protection

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