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Crunch 'forcing car drivers to use bicycle'
Simon Kirby7 Oct 2008
The credit crunch is driving a boom in cycling as people try to save money by turning to two wheels, according to a new report.
Experts say the so-called "credit crunch crawlers" are the fastest growing group of cyclists on the roads of the capital.
The "crawlers", typically aged between 23 and 63, have stopped using cars and public transport and ride bikes, often bought on internet auction sites, to save money. They are one of a series of groups of cyclists identified in a report published to launch Cycle 08 at Earls Court.
Marta Bogna, from London Fields , said she was a prime example of a credit-crunch crawler. The 27-year-old said: "Transport is such a big cost, especially in London, so making as many journeys as possible by bike makes a lot of sense.
"The money saved is brilliant ... each week I save about £25 and use it to enjoy myself at the weekend."
Other tribes identified include:
. Trendy treaders: aged 21-29, ride around Shoreditch on fixed gear machines with no gears or brakes.
. Saturday shoppers: aged 35-60, ride around Notting Hill and Portobello Market.
. Speed demons: aged 21-41, are very serious about cycling and prefer Richmond Park and velodromes.
. Extreme fitness: aged 20 and over, use gym bikes as well as riding very long distances on the road.
The Cycle 08 exhibition from Friday until Sunday.
Reader views (5)
Donīt know if itīs the credit crunch really, itīs more that people realise to get around town quickly and for ease of parking, a bike wins.
- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark, 09/10/2008 07:25
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Whilst cycling in this morning I watched a woman taking her daughter to nursery on her bike, there was a child seat (with toddler) on the back whilst the childs rucksack was hanging from the left handlebar and the womans rucksack on the right handlebar. The bike was weaving from side to side down the road due to the badly distributed weight caused cars to trail behind her and she was utterly oblivious. Add to that the fact that neither mother nor daughter were wearing any sort of protection and it's a disaster waiting to happen. I'm all for people cycling but at least they should know how to do it safely first.
- Bob, Cheam, 07/10/2008 14:14
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i have cycled for years, and i now cycle with my young daughter on my bike, taking her to nursery. i have noticed a huge increase in the number of cyclists on the roads in central london, especially over the last few months. but i wish some of these people who have realised the benefits of cycling would learn how to cycle properly and take proper care. much of my cycle is on a cycle lane separated from the cars. some of the cyclists are nuts and make it very dangerous - overtaking when other cyclists are coming towards them on the other side of the lane, speeding through red lights, cycling without being aware of what is going on around them, cycling with headphones on, talking on mobiles. i even saw one man ride through red lights, with a child on the back, and was almost hit by a van who was quite correctly driving through the crossroads.
cycling is great, enjoy it, but have some respect for everyone else around you. this is one of the reasons that car and lorry drivers have become even more aggressive towards cyclists.
- Bandora, london, 07/10/2008 12:56
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Is this anything other than an advert for the bike show?
Marta Bogna would be the Account Director at Idea Generation who works in Public Relations and Communications then...they could have at least found a punter off the street for their quotes...
- Marc, Hammersmith, 07/10/2008 12:31
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"The "crawlers", typically aged between 23 and 63"
That includes just about everyone who isn't either at school, or who is dead.
- George, London, 07/10/2008 11:12
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