Cycling in Brighton and Hove more than doubles in ten years

The figures show that the city has had one of the biggest rises in people aged 16 to 74 using bikes to get to work in the UK between 2001 and 2011. 

The total number in 2011 was 3,168 people cycling to work, and in 2011 it was 6,635, a rise of 109.4%

It was beaten only by London, where commuting cycling rose by 144%.  

Rachel Bromley, policy adviser for transport charity Sustrans, said: "These new figures are telling of the haphazard approach of many authorities to get with the times and improve provision for the increasing number of people wanting to cycle to work.

"The public demand is there and many urban councils have made good progress in training and infrastructure, as is shown by the outstanding urban cycling results. It shows when decision-makers put their minds into increasing cycling, real progress can be made."

British Cycling's campaigns manager, Martin Key, said: "The latest figures effectively highlight the positive impact financial and political commitments can make to growing cycling numbers in cities.

"Once again, the evidence is clear that sustained investment in cycling brings results for the cities that are willing to commit."

He went on: "More than two million people regularly cycle and our data shows that nearly two-thirds of people want to cycle more if protected space is provided.

"That is why we are working to convince politicians that reallocating existing funding to prioritise cycling is a no-brainer, not only for the nation's health but for our communities, environment and our economy."

Last week, The Argus reported that car ownership in Brighton and Hove has declined by 3% from 2004 to 2014. 

The census figures also showed that the numbers cycling to work declined in more than half (202 out of 348) of local authorities across England and Wales since 2001.

Taking into account the increase in working residents since 2001, the share of people cycling to work in 2011 remained virtually unchanged at 2.8%.

Cycling to work was most frequent among males and most common in Cambridge. It was least common in Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales.

The figures, released today, also show that across the country, people are travelling further to get to work but the number of commuters is falling as more staff work from home.

Based on Census statistics, the average distance travelled to work in England and Wales increased from 8.3 miles (13.4km) in 2001 to 9.32 miles (15km) in 2011.

Those living in the Midlands and south west England had the largest increase in average distance travelled between 2001 and 2011 - going an extra 1.36 miles (2.2km).

In 2011, commuters living in the east of England travelled furthest (10.34 miles/ 16.6km) while Londoners had the shortest average commutes - 6.83 miles (11km).

The number of people working mainly from home increased from 9.2% in 2001 to 10.0% in 2011, with a further 8% having no fixed place of work or working offshore.

As a result, only 81% made a regular commute in 2011 compared with 86% in 2001.

In both 2001 and 2011, men commuted further than woman. In 2001, 39% of males and 25% of females commuted more than 6.2 miles (10km ). By 2011, the rates of commuting such distances had increased to 42% for men and 30% for women.

With the exception of those living in London, workers in managerial and professional occupations were more likely to commute 12.4 miles (20 km) or more.

The difference with other occupation groups was not so noticeable for London residents, where skilled trade workers were most likely to commute 12.4 miles (20km) or more.

Full-time workers commuted longer distances in 2011 than their part-time counterparts. While 55% of part-time workers commuted less than 3.6 miles (5km), 38% of full-time workers did the same.