Are we too reliant on our cars in Blackpool?

Cycling and walking is not as popular in Blackpool as many other parts of the country.

Commuters are being urged to avoid public transport if possible due to the coronavirus pandemic but the easing of some lockdown rules has sparked fears roads could become overwhelmed by an increase in car journeys.

But Government figures show more than a quarter of people in Blackpool walk or cycle - whether it's for leisure or travel - less than once a month.

A £250m 'emergency active travel fund' from the Department for Transport aims to help towns prevent their buses, roads and public spaces becoming crowded as lockdown is lifted.

But, amid concerns the roads are not safe enough for cycling, several Lancashire boroughs have some of the lowest rates of walking and cycling in the country.

Cyclist starts petition to introduce a safer cycle route from Preston to Fylde c...

A spokesperson for Cycling UK said now was a “golden opportunity” to encourage people into cycling, and infrastructure changes would be key in changing perceptions of how safe it was to cycle. A national poll found 61 per cent believe it is too dangerous to cycle on the road.

Cycling UK has encouraged residents to write to their local council asking for improvements to cycle infrastructure, and some 6,000 people have already done so.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said the lockdown had led to "cleaner air and quieter streets".

He added: "Millions of people have discovered, or rediscovered, cycling and walking. In some places, there’s been a 70 per cent rise in the number of people on bikes - for exercise, or for safe, socially distanced travel.

"When the country gets back to work, we need them to carry on cycling, and to be joined by millions more. With public transport capacity reduced, the roads in our largest cities, in particular, may not be able to cope without it."

He added that the Government "expects local authorities to make significant changes to their road layouts to give more space to cyclists and pedestrians" in order to encourage more people to ditch their cars.

How many people in Lancashire walk or cycle at least once a month?

Pendle - 67.2%

Hyndburn - 67.8%

Blackburn with Darwen - 70.8%

Blackpool - 71.3%

Burnley - 72.2%

West Lancashire - 78.4%

Rossendale - 78.8%

Ribble Valley - 79.1%

Wyre - 79.4%

Chorley - 79.4%

Preston - 79.5%

South Ribble - 79.6%

Lancaster - 82.1%

Fylde - 82.3%