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The hidden price of car dependency: Why walking and cycling pay dividends for society
March 12, 2025
The true cost of car dependency is eye-watering. Research from Sweden puts the lifetime cost of car ownership at nearly £500,000 - of which a staggering 41% is shouldered by society. From air pollution to road deaths, congestion to climate emissions, the damage caused by our car-first culture extends far beyond individual drivers.
Meanwhile, new figures from Norway have revealed the extraordinary value of active travel. For every additional kilometre walked, society gains €4.2 in health benefits. For cycling, it’s €2.8. These numbers should be front and centre of transport policy, yet the UK continues to pour billions into road expansion while underfunding walking and cycling infrastructure.
And that’s before we factor in the cost of car-induced inactivity. Sedentary lifestyles fuelled by car dependency contribute to heart disease, diabetes, and poor mental health, placing an unsustainable burden on the NHS. Despite this, walking and cycling remain afterthoughts in UK transport planning.
The burden of car dependency isn’t shared equally. Low-income households spend a disproportionate share of their income on car ownership, often because public transport is inadequate or walking and cycling feel unsafe. At the same time, these communities suffer most from traffic-related air pollution and road danger. It’s a vicious cycle: the people least able to afford a car are the ones most harmed by a car-dominated society.
If walking and cycling were properly valued in policy, investment would flow accordingly. Research consistently shows that active travel delivers enormous returns - not just in terms of health but also for local economies. Yet the UK government continues to prioritise road expansion over safe walking and cycling networks.
Cycle Rescue for free with ETA bicycle insurance
If you suffer a breakdown (including punctures, or even a flat e-bike battery) while out cycling, our 24-hour Cycle Rescue team is on hand to arrange transport for you and your bicycle to a safe location. The service is included for free with ETA cycle insurance, along with:
• Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
• E-bike battery theft cover
• Cycle Rescue
• No devaluation of your bike over time
• £2m third party PLUS £20,000 personal accident cover
• Shed and garage storage
• Low standard excess of 5% (£50 minimum)
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.
Information correct at time of publication.
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