The third themed day focused on cycling. The growth in recent years of this sustainable method of commuting has been phenomenal, especially in larger cities such as London. Many have realised that spending an hour in the gym and then an hour commuting is a waste of time, and now combine the activities by cycling to work.

The partner for this day was BikeBUDi.com. For those who are in the position of being able to cycle to work, but may have been put off by the idea of doing it alone - especially in the darker months. Those wanting to give it a go, but would prefer a bit of company to make the journey safer and more enjoyable, it would be worth looking at www.BikeBUDi.com. It is a free website which allows cyclists to register their journey and search for other members riding the same way. The site also calculates the financial and CO2 savings compared to making that journey by car.

Cycling motorists - 18% of drivers cycle at least once a month

Eighteen per cent of motorists get on their bikes and cycle to get from A to B at least once a onth, according to the results from the AA/Populus Panel of 18,500 members1. Leading the AA to question  whether two wheels could take some of the pain out of the high fuel prices at the pumps.

However, 64 per cent say they never use the bicycle as a form of transport and 19 per cent cycle only once or twice a year or less.

Unsurprisingly cycling is most favoured in flat and relatively dry East Anglia where 24 per cent say they cycle at least once a month with the South and South-West next popular at 20 per cent. Least popular areas with members for  cycling (those who cycle once or twice a year or less) are N Ireland 88 per cent, and Wales 87 per cent with Scotland, Central and West Midlands, North West and Yorkshire and Humberside all at 85 per cent.

When it comes to sex, cycling is definitely a male thing with 21 per cent of men cycling at least once a month against 12 per cent of women.
In fact over three times as many men cycle daily compared to women.
Seventy six per cent of the over 65's say they never cycle.

Frequency of cycling to get from A to B

(Among all AA members surveyed)

• 64% never cycle
• 10% cycle once or twice a year
• 8% cycle once or twice a month
• 8% cycle less than once a year
• 6% cycle at least once a week
• 3% cycle daily

Cycling AA Patrols

Even the AA is taking to push bikes as wimbledon tennis fans saw last summer as AA patrols turned up to fix broken down cars - on bicycles. Due to congestion the AA has launched a new team of cycle-based breakdown patrols to tackle traffic chaos at big events.

The AA bikes will go on to target hard-to-reach breakdowns at other sports events, concerts and festivals throughout the summer. Pushbikes are the next step in a new 'two-wheeled' strategy at the AA, following the reintroduction of motorbikes to tackle congestion and emissions in London.
Commenting on the findings, Edmund King, AA President said: "With fuel prices at record levels we expect to see more people getting on their bikes for some trips - though it is clear from  hese findings that topography, the weather, age and sex may play a major role in who chooses to cycle.  "Car drivers need to think more about cyclists and not open car door without looking or turn left without checking for a bike on the inside.
Cyclists have to stop running red lights and avoid the temptation to cycle on pavements or up one way streets.

"To encourage cycling we need to see more  comprehensive cycle lanes, secure cycle parking, shower facilities at work and more cycle training."