The proportion of people across Britain who cycle to work has remained “stagnant” over the past decade despite an explosion in cyclist numbers in cities, census data shows.

Campaigners have called for a less “haphazard” approach to cycle funding after data showed that cycling has become less popular in many towns and rural areas while becoming more common in cities granted money for cycle provision.

Between 2001 and 2011, the number of people commuting to work by bicycle more than doubled in London and Brighton, and there were increases of more than 80 per cent in Manchester, Bristol and Newcastle.

Luton, Derby, Wigan and Wolverhampton were among towns and cities in which the number of cyclists fell. Out of 348 local authorities in England and