Many adults lack the skills and confidence to cycle, with three-quarters not cycling at all in the last year and only a small minority cycling regularly, according to a new report published by The Bikeability Trust today. Based on a YouGov poll of 2,000 UK adults, the report suggests there is a lost generation of adults who did not receive formal cycle training when they were younger. This may mean they dont feel skilled or confident enough to ride on roads and in traffic. The Bikeability Trust, which develops and promotes the Department for Transports Bikeability national cycling training programme, says while investment in cycling infrastructure has improved conditions in some areas, "participation remains constrained. Confidence is often limited to lower-stress settings such as traffic free environments and declines significantly in more complex traffic conditions, even among existing people who cycle, the report says. London cyclist deaths hit second lowest level ever recorded It adds that the lack of confidence while cycling has wider implications: It can limit the effectiveness of investment in cycling infrastructure if individuals do not feel able to make use of it. The report points to other studies that show women and people from ethnic minority groups can be deterred from cycling by concerns about safety and intimidation from other road users. It says improvements to infrastructure alone are unlikely to increase participation in cycling from these groups without addressing confidence and capability. The Bikeability Trust therefore suggests adult cycle training has an important role to help address the barriers to cycling. The report says that among people who cycle and have undertaken training, 25% reported increased confidence and 18% reported an improved ability to ride in traffic. However, participation in adult cycle training remains extremely limited and the report says there is a clear gap in provision. The Bikeability Trust therefore recommends expanding and normalising adult cycle training, alongside increasing awareness of training while targeting underrepresented groups. It also recommends improved interactions between drivers and cyclists are supported through driver awareness and road-sharing initiatives. Emily Cherry, chief executive of The Bikeability Trust, says confidence in cycling is an effective tool to tackle transport poverty. Adult cycle training remains fragmented, inconsistent and poorly measured but Bikeability offers a national gold standard, guaranteeing safety, consistency and accountability wherever training is delivered. With sustained government investing in active travel and centralising adult training through Bikeability, we can provide robust data and outcome tracking to show the return on active travel investment, says Cherry. The report, which will be launched at the Houses of Parliament on Thursday, was sponsored by Forest, the shared electric bike operator. Forests own data suggests shared electric bikes are a catalyst for cycling, as almost 80% of users cycle more than they did before discovering Forest. The latest figures estimate that 10% of Londons 1.5 million total daily cycling journeys are made on dockless ebikes, such as Forests. The City of London Corporation also said dockless cycles have quadrupled since 2022 and now account for one-in-six bikes on City streets. Agustin Guilisasti, CEO and co-founder of Forest, says the company is investing in rider education and safety initiatives, and accessible training programmes. Its been incredibly encouraging to see first-hand how e-bikes are helping more Londoners choose cycling for everyday journeys, making sustainable transport more convenient and accessible than ever before. But increasing cycling participation isnt just about putting bikes on the road; its about ensuring people feel comfortable and confident every time they ride, says Guilisasti.