Arun’s cycle rate to work is ‘too low’

THE number of people cycling to work across the district has plummeted, new figures show.

The Arun district has seen the third biggest drop of any area in south-east of England.

Fresh figures released from 2011’s census shows a 20 per cent decline in the number of people cycling to work in Arun and the proportion of commutes made by bike dropping by 1.5 per cent.

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The data, released this week by the Office for National Statistics, shows the proportion of people using a bike to get to work has dropped across the South East.

In the Arun area just 3.6 per cent of work journeys were made by bike in 2011, compared to 5.1 per cent in 2001 – a drop which Keith Taylor, the Green Party’s MEP for region, says is ‘unacceptable’.

He is calling for the Government to invest in more cycle, foot and public transport routes.

He said: “Cycling is good for our health, good for the environment and should be promoted.

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“It’s time that the Government puts its money where its mouth is and diverts the millions of pounds destined for road building into making our towns and cities safe for cyclists.”

In the Arun area just 3.6 per cent of work journeys were made by bike in 2011, compared to 5.1 per cent in 2001.