Motorists who cycle hold the key to less congestion, better health and less pollution, says the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists). Its new study Cycling Motorists, published today, identifies the enormous potential for many more motorists to take up cycling either for leisure or to replace some car journeys.

Neil Greig, the IAM's director of Policy and Research said: "Millions of motorists are already taking to the roads on two wheels. The IAM study identifies the huge potential for getting them to cycle more, and for getting motorists who know how to ride to take up cycling again. Getting more motorists riding instead of driving for some journeys or simply for leisure could give cycling its biggest boost."

Cycling Motorists reveals that around half of all motorists own a bike; two in five of them cycle regularly, and half ride their bikes very occasionally. It also shows that twice as many men as women motorists ride regularly, but among motorist who don't cycle, women are twice as likely to take it up again.

Nearly all motorists who cycle cite exercise, fun, as well as environmental and money-saving benefits as top reasons for switching to pedal power. What deters them are inconsiderate drivers, heavy traffic, lorries, the poor state of some roads and risk of an accident. However, despite an apparent concern about safety, the report found that only half of cycling motorists ride wearing a helmet and one third wear no protective/high visibility clothing at all. However, both cycling and non-cycling motorists agree that the experience of cycling makes drivers more careful.

Mr Greig added: "Britain's garages, backyards and gardens contain a mountain of bikes just waiting to be ridden. No single initiative will get more motorists to use them. But Cycling Motorists provides powerful evidence for focusing campaigns to promote more cycling by the motorists who already cycle, as well as those who may need just a little push to get them riding again. The IAM will be campaigning for them to do so confidently and safely."

Key findings from Cycling Motorists:

*         More than 14 million motorists own a bike; five million of them cycle regularly, and seven million ride occasionally; almost half a million non-cycling motorists who own a bike might take up cycling again.

*         A fifth of cycling motorists travel to work by bike; a quarter of those do so daily or on most days.

*         Exercise, fun, the environment and 'saving money' top the list of motivations for motorists to ride rather than drive.

*         Bad weather, time pressures and darkness are significant factors in deciding not to ride; inconsiderate drivers, busy roads, lorries and the poor state of some roads top the list of concerns of cycling motorists. More cycle lanes, better weather, safer roads and less traffic top the wish list of cycling motorists.

*         Both cycling and non-cycling motorists agree that experience of cycling makes drivers more careful.

*         Most regular cycling motorists say their employers encourage them to cycle to work, and most perceive no ill-feeling or ridicule from colleagues because they do so.

*         Non-cycling motorists cite being too old, preferring to drive, 'too dangerous' and lack of fitness as reasons for not cycling. Exercise, loss of the car and more cycle lanes would be most likely to motivate them to start cycling.

*         More than three-quarters of non-cycling motorists say they do not anticipate riding again.

*         Non-cycling motorists in social groups C1 and C2 are more likely to take up cycling again, as are drivers under 25 and those in the South-east; drivers in Scotland are the least likely to switch to two wheels.

*         Among cycling motorists, twice as many men as women ride regularly but, of the non-cycling motorists, women are twice as likely to take to two wheels again.