Charity Cycling UK is writing to all council leaders to urge them to create more cycle lanes and close residential roads to cars to give people more space to stay safe.

“By and large they haven’t been very imaginative, especially not like what we’ve seen in Europe,” said Chris Todd, the director of Transport Action Network, which has threatened legal action against the government over its road-building plans. “It doesn’t seem like we’ve grasped the opportunity to help people.”

Research has found that commuters on public transport are up to six times more likely to pick up an infection during a flu outbreak and the World Health Organisation recommends people ride a bike or walk “whenever feasible” to limit the spread of the virus.

Cycling in the UK was up nearly 40 per cent last weekend compared to the six weeks before the lockdown, according to transport data analysts Vivacity, and Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said there had been a significant increase in the number of people cycling for essential journeys.

Mr Norman said the Greater London Authority was looking at its road network to see where more space could be made for bikes and pedestrians.

Governments wary of gridlock and air pollution will also be keen to avoid replicating the surge in private car use seen in China since their lockdown eased, as residents avoid public transport.

Several studies have shown a link between air pollution connected to car exhausts and respiratory illnesses that could exacerbate the impact of Covid-19.

More than half of Brits have noticed the benefits of cleaner air as car use has dropped off, according to a survey by YouGov. Central London has seen a 40 per cent drop in nitrogen dioxide, the mayor’s office said on Thursday.

“To maintain social distancing and not use public transport is basically a decision between private cars and active travel,” said Adam Briggs, an associate clinical professor and honorary consultant in public health at Warwick Medical School. “Cities will grind to a half if everyone gets in their car to go to work, not to mention the huge implications for air pollution and health, therefore walking and cycling has to be prioritised.”

The pandemic may have accelerated a growing movement towards cycle and pedestrian-friendly cities, said Pierre Dornier, a clean air campaigner at Brussels-based NGO Transport and Environment. London already operates an ultra low emissions zone, while Brighton, York and Bristol are among other cities considering car-free areas.

“The soil was ready for this to happen. But this urban rearrangement couldn’t have happened so quickly without the crisis,” he said.

Nick Chater, a professor of behavioural science at the University of Warwick said lockdown was an opportunity “to think seriously about some rapid and radical changes to how roads are used - changes that would normally not be possible.”