A new YouGov poll showing overwhelming public support for new cycling infrastructure has been published today, as the UCI Track Cycling World Championships continue in London.

Commissioned by British Cycling, the poll reveals that 71% of people support building cycle tracks on main roads, with a further 11% unsure and just 18% opposed. Crucially, support is consistently strong across social grades, genders, age groups and political preferences and remains above 70% even when respondents were asked to consider a potential delay to their existing commute.

The news comes as British Cycling’s #ChooseCycling Network – a group of over 40 high-profile businesses – including Tesco, Aldi, GSK, National Grid, Thames Water, Santander and The AA, who collectively employ more than half a million people and believe that more cycling would be beneficial for their employees, customers and communities – gathered at the opening session of the UCI Track Cycling World Championships on Wednesday to discuss how to build on recent progress in London and replicate this across the country.

Chris Boardman, British Cycling policy advisor, said:

“This YouGov poll shows us, yet again, that the vast majority of the public want to see more cycle tracks on main roads. This is what people are telling their democratically elected leaders they want; meaningful resource to deliver segregated infrastructure on an ambitious scale to unlock the benefits cycling can offer our society. If this kind of evidence isn’t enough to give politicians and transport authorities the confidence to act, I don’t know what is.

“Leading businesses in the #ChooseCycling Network are also telling me they want to see investment in cycling because a more active workforce reduces absenteeism and increases productivity.

"Business wants it, the public want it, the environment and the health service needs it. I really don’t understand what we are waiting for.”

Click here to read about the first year of the #ChooseCycling Network.