Drivers walking and cycling more amid rising fuel prices

A further 15 per cent of respondents to the poll commissioned by charity Cycling UK said they are actively considering taking this action.

The YouGov survey of 2,099 UK adults, conducted on March 31 and April 1, indicated that driving less and increasing walking or cycling was more common than all other responses to the Iran oil crisis.

These include going out less (27 per cent), using public transport instead of driving (23 per cent), cutting back elsewhere to afford fuel (19 per cent) and car-sharing (9 per cent).

Cycling UK is calling for an urgent package of measures from the UK and devolved governments to make it easier for people to walk and cycle more.

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It suggested this could include financial support to ease access to bikes and e-bikes, and boosting the safety of local roads.

Sarah Mitchell, chief executive of Cycling UK, said: “People need to travel and they need to be able to do this affordably.

“That includes alternatives to driving, particularly for those who simply won’t be able to keep up with rising costs.

“It protects people who would otherwise be exposed to rising fuel costs when a crisis like this hits, and allows people to continue making their everyday journeys.”

A litre of petrol and diesel remains 25p and 49p respectively more expensive than when the war began on February 28, despite prices dipping slightly since Thursday.