More people than ever are choosing bikes over cars in Aviemore, with a 53 percent jump in cycle journeys recorded over the first three months of 2025.
The increase makes Aviemore one of 34 locations across Scotland where cycling levels rose by more than 30 percent compared to the same period last year.
The B9152 route between Aviemore and Carrbridge saw the biggest shift locally, with 1,469 journeys counted from January to March, up from 963 the year before.
Cycle Scotland, the national charity behind the data, says the figures highlight a growing appetite for everyday travel by bike.
Peaks during the morning and evening rush hours show that bikes are being used not just for leisure, but for commuting and other daily trips.
Plans are already in motion to support this growth, with a new 9km off-road route for walking, wheeling and cycling set to be built during the A9 dualling project.
The path will give locals and visitors a safer, more scenic link between Aviemore and Carrbridge and connect with existing trails throughout the area.
Highland Council’s Convener, Cllr Bill Lobban, welcomed the numbers as proof that more people are embracing active travel.
He said Aviemore’s location in the heart of the Cairngorms makes it a natural fit for life on two wheels, and that investment in safer infrastructure is already helping that shift.
Local resident Sally Devlin cycles to work every day and says the benefits are clear.
“It’s often quicker to get around Aviemore by bike,” she said.
“We’ve got smooth off-road trails and quieter roads that keep you out of traffic, and you always feel better for being outdoors.”
She added that new 20mph speed limits and more cycle-friendly businesses are helping make the town even more welcoming to riders.
“I hope the more people see locals using bikes to get around, the more they’ll give it a try,” she said.
Nick Montgomery of Cycling Scotland said that where councils build better bike networks, people use them.
“These figures show that cycling is becoming part of daily life in more places across Scotland,” he said.
“Improved infrastructure and safe routes help make cycling an easy, healthy and affordable way to travel and there’s huge potential for even more people to benefit.”
A map of all 34 locations in Scotland to see increases of over 30% in the number of cycle journeys in winter 2024-25 compared with the previous year is hosted online on data visualisation platform, Flourish.
Further data on cycle rates in Scotland can be found on the Cycling Open Data Portal
