Road conditions in the UK and sharing the road with lorries and other large vehicles are deterring people from taking up cycling, according to research commissioned by charity Cycling UK.

More than half of the respondents (57%) ranked having to share the road with lorries and other large vehicles as number one reason for avoiding travel by bike in the UK.

Alongside drivers overtaking too closely, poor road conditions such as potholes were jointly ranked the second most common reason for avoiding travel by bike.

Nearly half (49%) of the respondents cited crossing busy junctions and roundabouts with other vehicles as a major concern.

“Cycling UK urged the UK Government to make fundamental changes in areas such as the highway code, road design and vehicle safety to encourage more people to take up cycling.”

Other concerns included threatening behaviour from drivers (43%), car doors being opened in front of them (40%) and speeding motorists (37%).

Cycling UK campaigns head Duncan Dollimore said: “The government wants more and safer cycling, but as Cycling UK’s research shows, people who don’t currently cycle need change if they’re going to choose to cycle short distances rather than drive.”

The release of the research report coincided with Cycling UK’s submission to the government’s ‘Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy safety review’.

Cycling UK urged the UK Government to make fundamental changes in areas such as the highway code, road design and vehicle safety to encourage more people to take up cycling.

Dollimore further added: “The government is being taken through the courts for failing its air quality commitments, casualties on our roads are going up, and our NHS is struggling with the burden caused by an inactive nation. More people cycling is part of the solution to all these problems.

“Cycling is still a minority activity in the UK with only 2% of all journeys made by bike. Those who do cycle put up with the potholes and dangerous traffic conditions daily and still continue. However, it’s not always pleasant and it’s no surprise most people do not consider cycling for their short everyday journeys.”

The survey was conducted by YouGov on behalf of Cycling UK with more than 2,000 participants.