We can't blame the British weather as there is just as much rain in the Netherlands. One difference is that parts of Britain are hilly, although careful route planning and a 12 speed bicycle help to overcome that obstacle. One thing that puts many people off bicycling is the inconvenience of wearing and carrying a helmet. Interestingly, no one wears helmets in Europe. However, the main reason for the lack of cycling in this country by both adults and children is directly related to car use.
Roads belong to cars and bicyclists feel neither safe nor welcome on the roads.
In the Netherlands and in Denmark, where cars are not allowed to dominate, cycling is 12 times safer. A network of cycle paths separates cars from bicycles and in many towns, car speed limits are set as low as 5 mph. Some of the barriers to taking more exercise given in the survey above could also stop people from taking up bicycling. Cycle promotion campaigns have to address the cultural and psychological barriers to cycling and the specific reasons stopping women, children and older people from cycling. But there's no doubt that more people would cycle if the roads were made more cycle friendly.