Cycling in the UK continues to grow in popularity, but with it comes a steady stream of myths, assumptions, and outdated beliefs. Beyond sparking arguments, these myths shape attitudes, influence behaviour, and affect how cyclists are treated on the road.
To understand more about cycling myths in the UK, we leveraged AI-driven audience profiling to synthesise insights from online opinions to a high statistical confidence level. We draw on insights from 7,601 UK cycling enthusiasts, collected over 12 months to 31 March 2025. Their experiences reveal which myths persist, how they spread, who believes them, and what it’s like to challenge them daily.
The result is a clear snapshot of how cycling is understood and misunderstood straight from the people who ride.
- 100% of UK cyclists agree that public understanding of the sport is poor
- 33% agree that public conversations about cycling in local communities are very negative
- 99% of cyclists have heard myths about them not paying tax
- Harmful cycling myths the most damaging for 100% of cyclists
- 65% of UK cyclists’ riding experiences are affected by myths
- Non-cyclists 100% influenced by cycling myths
- 75% of cyclists are confident they can correct myths during cycling discussions
- 100% of UK cyclists often correct myths
- 85% correct myths to share their personal truth about cycling
- Driver-centric culture responsible for 39% of the spread of cycling myths
- Social media responsible for 95% of cycling misinformation
- 32% say pro-cycling content would lower the spread of myths
- 77% of cyclists rely on other cyclists for accurate facts
- 91% of 7,601 cyclists live in London
- Methodology
How Would You Rate General Public Understanding Of Cycling?
100% of UK cyclists agree that public understanding of the sport is poor
Public understanding plays a major role in how cycling is experienced and accepted:
The answer is emphatic. 100% of cyclists said the public doesn’t understand cycling, and that consensus shows just how far off the mark everyday perceptions can be. From why cyclists ride two abreast to how they position themselves in traffic, the basics are often misread. The result is friction, frustration, and a sense that cyclists don’t belong.
An article in The Guardian puts it plainly: Cyclists are often judged as a group and treated as a problem. This kind of thinking spreads through media, conversations, and assumptions, and it’s one of the biggest barriers to making cycling feel normal, safe, and welcome.
How Would You Describe The Tone Of Public Conversation About Cyclists In Your Community?
33% agree that public conversations about cycling in local communities are very negative
When cyclists reflect on how they’re spoken about in their own communities, the pattern is hard to ignore:
The data paints a clear picture. At 33%, one-third of cyclists say the tone of public conversation in their community is very negative. Another 33% call it somewhat negative, and the final 33% don’t hear anything positive either.
Persistent myths and generalisations often encourage this kind of negative atmosphere. Cyclists are regularly treated as a single group, blamed collectively, and judged unfairly, fuelled by the false idea that they don’t contribute or follow the rules. The result is a public narrative stacked against them. This frustration isn’t limited to personal accounts. It echoes through online forums where cyclists swap stories of close passes, verbal abuse, and being told they don’t belong.
What Is The Most Common Myth You’ve Heard?
99% of cyclists have heard myths about them not paying tax
Some myths about cycling are so persistent that they end up shaping public opinion more than facts do:
99% of 7,601 UK cycling enthusiasts say the most common claim they hear is that cyclists don’t pay tax. This is often thrown around in arguments to suggest they have no right to use the road. However, in the UK, drivers pay Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) based on emissions. Bicycles don’t produce any, so they’re exempt. However, 85% of cyclists in the UK are also drivers, so they pay VED too. Roads are also funded through general taxation, and cyclists contribute to that just like everyone else.
The other myths barely register. Fewer than 1% of our audience mentioned the idea that roads are for cars only, which is an outdated view that ignores how public roads are designed to serve everyone, not just motorists. The belief that cyclists must wear Lycra also came in at under 1%, and the suggestion that you need specialist gear just to get on a bike says more about outdated stereotypes than reality.
Which Myths Do You Think Are Most Harmful?
Harmful cycling myths the most damaging for 100% of cyclists
Cycling myths continue to shape attitudes, behaviour, and the way cyclists are treated on the road:
100% of our audience said that myths about cycling are harmful. These myths shape how drivers behave, how safe people feel on a bike, and how seriously cycling is taken in planning conversations. Some myths stir up tension, while others chip away at the idea that cyclists belong on the road at all.
As Chris Boardman, commissioner of the Department for Transport’s Active Travel England agency, recently pointed out, investing in cycling is “one of the most effective actions we can take to improve the nation's health, economy and get to net zero, all in one”. Tackling myths is part of that bigger picture because the more cycling is understood, the more it can deliver.
How Do These Myths Impact Your Everyday Riding Experience?
65% of UK cyclists’ riding experiences are affected by myths
The effect of a myth carries over into how cyclists experience the road:
Myths don’t just stay in conversation; they also follow cyclists onto the road, and 65% agree that these false beliefs affect their everyday riding experience. That might mean facing hostility at intersections, being second-guessed for legal road positioning, or feeling unwelcome in shared spaces. 18% said they often feel misjudged because of what people assume about cyclists. Another 18% reported conflict with drivers, often sparked by tension that myths help create.
Stories like a recent incident, where a cyclist and delivery driver were filmed brawling, only fuel the public perception that cycling causes conflict. When these isolated moments go viral, they create a road culture shaped by misunderstanding, where myths make everyday riding harder than it should be.
Which Group Do You Think Is Most Influenced By These Myths?
Non-cyclists 100% influenced by cycling myths
Myths about cycling often take hold where there’s the least direct experience of it:
Every cyclist in our audience agreed on this one. 100% said non-cyclists are the group most influenced by cycling myths. That makes sense, as when people don’t ride, they’re more likely to rely on second-hand opinions, media headlines, or viral clips. The result is a set of assumptions that rarely match the reality of life on two wheels.
How Confident Are You In Correcting These Myths When Discussing Cycling With Others?
75% of cyclists are confident they can correct myths during cycling discussions
Tackling cycling myths starts with everyday conversations, but not everyone feels ready to speak up:
Most cyclists are willing to set the record straight, and 75% feel confident challenging myths when talking to others about cycling. That could mean refuting the tax myth, explaining road positioning, or countering tired misconceptions.
But it’s not always easy. The remaining 25% felt neutral, which suggests some uncertainty or hesitation. These conversations can be awkward, especially when myths are repeated as facts.
How Often Do You Address Or Correct Myths When You Hear Them?
100% of UK cyclists often correct myths
When cycling myths come up in conversation, riders aren’t staying silent:
Of our audience, 100% often speak up when they hear myths about cycling being repeated. That shows how seriously riders take everyday misinformation. Whether it’s a casual comment or a heated debate, they’re stepping in to correct the record, but it’s not always about winning an argument. Often, it’s about planting a seed of doubt in a widely accepted assumption. When every rider makes the effort to speak up, those small moments start to add up, and that’s how the story begins to shift.
What Motivates You To Correct Misinformation About Cycling?
85% correct myths to share their personal truth about cycling
Speaking up about myths gives cyclists a chance to share what riding is really like:
85% of UK cycling enthusiasts correct misinformation by sharing their own experiences. Whether explaining road behaviour or challenging a common assumption, cyclists help others see the reality behind the rhetoric.
Another 8% 's motivation comes from frustration, and another 8% want to defend cycling culture. Together, their voices push back against stories that overlook cycling's benefits. Even the UK government recognises its value, highlighting cycling’s positive impact on public health, infrastructure, and local economies.
What Do You Think Drives The Spread Of These Myths?
Driver-centric culture responsible for 39% of the spread of cycling myths
Myths are shaped by what people see, hear, and believe:
Cyclists see the roots of these myths everywhere. 39% pointed to a driver-centric culture, where roads are designed around cars and other users are seen as secondary. That mindset makes it easier for false assumptions to take hold. Another 35% blamed a lack of education, especially around road-sharing rules and the realities of cycling.
Social media plays a role, too. 16% said misinformation online fuels confusion and reinforces negative stereotypes. 11% pointed to biased media reporting. That includes sensational headlines, viral videos, and bad press that often focuses on rare incidents instead of everyday reality.
Where Do You Most Often See Misinformation About Cycling?
Social media responsible for 95% of cycling misinformation
Misinformation about cycling often appears in the places where opinions spread quickly and context is lost:
Misinformation on social media is the main culprit for 95% of cyclists in our audience. Fast-moving content, limited context, and strong opinions help cycling myths gain traction and reach wide audiences. Cyber-security expert Andrew Tierney has shown that some of this isn’t random. Coordinated online abuse has played a role in fuelling anti-cycling myths.
Other sources barely featured. 2% pointed to public debates, while almost 2% said they had seen misinformation within cycling groups, often coming from newer riders. Fewer than 2% identified news outlets.
What stands out is the scale. Social media shapes public opinion as much as it reflects it. For many cyclists, the fight against myths starts the moment they scroll, and that’s where it needs to be challenged most.
What Would Help Reduce Myth Spreading?
32% say pro-cycling content would lower the spread of myths
Changing how people see cycling starts with what they’re shown and told:
32% of our audience said that pro-cycling content would help reduce the spread of myths. Positive stories, practical advice, and everyday perspectives offer a powerful counter to misinformation. Another 31% pointed out the role of better media reporting.
Policy also plays a role. 26% felt that stronger enforcement would make a difference. This includes support from government strategies like the Department for Transport’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, which recognises the long-term benefits of active travel. 12% said greater advocacy from cycling organisations could also help shift perceptions.
Together, these solutions point to the idea that myth-busting relies on consistent, visible support from content creators, the media, policymakers, and campaigners who believe cycling deserves a fairer place in public life.
Which Sources Do You Trust Most For Accurate Cycling Facts?
77% of cyclists rely on other cyclists for accurate facts
Trust in cycling information often depends on where it comes from and who is sharing it:
When it comes to accurate facts about cycling, 77% trust other cyclists as a reliable source of information. Cycling clubs came second, trusted by 23%. These results show that when it comes to reliable information, cyclists turn to people who understand the reality, rather than the rhetoric, of life on two wheels.
Where In The UK Do You Primarily Live?
91% of 7,601 cyclists live in London
Our audience was predominantly situated in the capital, but there was a presence elsewhere across the UK:
At 91%, most cyclists in our audience live in London. This isn't too unexpected, as the capital saw a record 1.33 million daily cycle journeys in 2024, equivalent to a third of all tube trips. 8% said they live in Glasgow, while just 1% are based in Manchester. Each city brings its own road culture, infrastructure, and public attitudes, influencing how myths are formed and challenged. While this data leans heavily towards a London perspective, the issues raised, from misunderstanding to misinformation and public tension, are shared across the UK.
Setting the record straight
This data leaves little room for doubt. Myths about cycling are widespread and continue to shape how cyclists are judged and treated. But cyclists aren’t staying silent. They’re challenging misinformation with real experience and a clear call for change. Whether it’s through stronger reporting, better policy, or everyday conversations, the pushback is gaining ground.
Methodology
Sourced from an independent sample of 7,601 responses from UK cycling enthusiasts from X, Quora, Reddit, TikTok, and Threads. Responses are collected within a 95% confidence interval and 4% margin of error. Engagement estimates how many people in the location are participating. Demographics are determined using many features, including name, location, and self-disclosed description. Privacy is preserved using k-anonymity and differential privacy. Results are based on what people describe online — questions were not posed to the people in the sample.
About the representative sample:
- 69% of UK cycling enthusiasts are over the age of 45.
- 51% identify as male, and 49% as female.