Sustainable Mobility and Transport 2021

In 2021, almost three quarters (74.4%) of respondents never cycled, a decrease of over ten percentage points (85%) on the same period in 2019. Only one in twenty-five (4%) cycled at least five times a week – 6% of males compared with 2.1% of females. See Table 5.1.

Across all age groups, males are cycling more frequently. Over one in eleven (8.8%) males aged 18 to 29 years cycle almost daily, compared with just 2.2% of females in this age group, while one in thirteen (7.7%) males in the 30 to 44 years age group cycle with this frequency, compared with just 1.8% of females of similar age. For females aged 45 to 59 years, there is a greater take up of cycling, compared with other female age groups – 4.1% compared with 6.7% of males in this age group. See Table 5.1.

The average distance of a typical journey by bicycle was 12.7km. The average cycling distance for males was 14.8km compared with 9.6km for females. See Table 5.1.

Nearly one quarter (22.9%) of cycling journeys were for the purpose of going to a specific destination – 23.5% of cycling journeys taken by males compared with 22% of cycling trips taken by females. See Table 5.2.

For respondents who cycled weekly or more, they were asked for their reasons for choosing cycling over other modes of transport. The most common reason was to keep fit/get exercise, cited by 44.1% of persons who cycle frequently (weekly or more) – 44.5% of males compared with 43.6% of females. Over one third (33.8%) said that they enjoyed cycling – 34.1% of males compared with 33.4% of females. Over one in seven (13.9%) found it more convenient (no need to park, not tied to timetable, etc.) while less than one in thirteen (7.9%) said that it gave them more control over journey times, and 7.2% said that they had no other alternative. See Table 5.3 and Figure 5.1.

Note that respondents could select more than one option.

Respondents who cycled less frequently than weekly were asked for their reasons for not cycling more often. By far the most common reason was that distances were too far too cycle, cited by 48% of respondents who cycle less than weekly or not at all. Over one quarter (25.7%) found it inconvenient (for shopping, collecting children, etc.) – nearly three in ten (29.8% of females compared with 21.2% of males. At an overall level, unsuitable infrastructure (lack of cycling routes, safe cycling routes, etc.) was cited as a reason by nearly one in five (18.8%) of respondents, but more females than males found lack of good cycling infrastructure a problem – over one in five (20.6%) females compared with one in six (16.8%) males. See Table 5.4 and Figure 5.2.

One in eight respondents (12.5%) who cycle less than weekly had personal safety concerns – over one in seven (13.8%) females compared with one in nine (11%) males. Respondents were asked when they feared most for their personal safety, during the day, night or both day and night. By far, both male and female respondents feared for their personal safety during the day and night – 13.2% of females compared with 11.5% of males. Nearly one in five (19%) females aged 18 to 29 years said that they were deterred from cycling more frequently due to concerns for their personal safety during the day and night, compared with 10.9% of males in this age group. See Table 5.4 and Figure 5.2.