​85% of Britons rediscovered cycling during Covid19 and 12% will ride on post pandemic

​An interesting study just came out in the UK, who's headline statistic was that 85% of the population had rediscovered cycling during the lockdown. But the more critical number that came out of that research, was that 12% of Britains would continue to cycle post COVID-19, who weren't riding before the pandemic. ​

In this series we look at what impact Covid-19 has had on the bike business and how many changes will be with us for good, we sat down with Jonathon Nunan from Better Bike Business to get the low down.
I expect a similar number to that here in Australia. Which would be sensational. Even if it were just a 10 point, or even 5 point retention of 'new cyclists' post-pandemic, that would be substantial for the local bike industry going forward.
In a perfect world, we would have progressive governments in place, with a modern, mature grasp of the future of connected urban landscapes and the economic benefits of significant investment in active transport and last-mile infrastructure. 
If so, they would be taking the opportunity during this lockdown period, to put in place the protected pathways and transform our city centres and major urban hubs, so they were viable and friendly for cyclists, pedestrians, school children and users of other forms of active transport and micro-mobility.
That would see a post pandemic participation retention rate somewhere I feel closer to 20-25%. If not more.