The number of cyclists in the UK has risen to 13 million – almost a quarter of the population – according to a report published by the London School of Economics (LSE) in August.

Cycling is worth £2.9bn to the UK economy and significantly reduces carbon emissions and pollution according to the research, which was commissioned by Sky and British Cycling.

An estimated 208 million cycle journeys were made in 2010, meaning there were 1.3m more cyclists on the road, and cycle sales rose by 28%.

Economic, social and health factors are said to have played a part in the rise. LSE academic Dr Alexander Grous said that cycling, as an alternative means of transport has become a sustainable trend in the UK for the first time.