Cycling: Is it time to swap four wheels for two?

Cycling: Is it time to swap four wheels for two?

From The Inquiry by BBC World Service

April 21, 2026 · 25 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of rising oil prices on transportation choices, particularly the shift from cars to cycling.

Conflict in the Middle East has led to volatility in global oil prices, pushing up fuel costs worldwide. Previous oil shocks prompted some countries to reconsider their reliance on cars, investing in alternatives such as cycling. In some places, this has become part of everyday life, while elsewhere it has proved more contested, reflecting wider political and cultural divides. Cycling offers benefits for health and the environment, but it is not practical for everyone. For many people, including those in rural areas or with limited mobility, cars remain everyday essentials. As oil price volatility continues to affect motorists, questions remain about how far behaviour can change. With contributions from Meredith Glaser, CEO of Urban Cycling Institution, professor of cycling at Ghent University, Belgium, and a senior lecturer at the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Levke Sönksen, research associate at the German Institute of Urban Affairs, Germany; Dr Eunhye Enki Yoo, professor of Geography at the University of Buffalo, US and Martin Tillman, independent transport consultant, UAE. Presenter: Gary O’Donoghue Producer: Matt Toulson Sound engineer: Richard Hannaford Editor…

People in this episode

Host: Gary O’Donoghue

Guests: Meredith Glaser, Levke Sönksen, Dr Eunhye Enki Yoo, Martin Tillman

Topics covered

  • cycling
  • oil prices
  • transportation alternatives
  • environment
  • health
  • mobility
  • political divides

Keywords

  • cycling
  • oil prices
  • transportation
  • environment
  • health
  • mobility
  • urban planning

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Urban Cycling Institution, Ghent University, University of Amsterdam, German Institute of Urban Affairs, University of Buffalo, UAE

Places: Amsterdam

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