Attitudes to Walking, Cycling and Public Transport in Northern Ireland 2019/20 published today

The ‘Attitudes to Walking, Cycling and Public Transport in Northern Ireland 2019/20’ report has been published today.

This report, produced by the Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB) of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), presents findings from the 2019/20 Continuous Household Survey (CHS).  This is the third year that this question set was included in the CHS.

The publication is available on the ASRB website at: Walking, Cycling and Public Transport in Northern Ireland 2019/20

Key Points

• 87% of respondents consider ‘walking’ to be active travel while 80% say the same about ‘cycling’.

Walking

• 59% of respondents were satisfied with the current situation for walking in their area in 2019/20, down from 64% in 2017/18.
• The most common reasons respondents were ‘not satisfied’ were ‘poor lighting at night’ (52%), ‘traffic goes too fast’ (50%), ‘poor footpath conditions’ (48%) and ‘not enough footpaths’ (45%).
• Respondents who said they were likely to walk short journeys (up to 2 miles/3km) has increased from 54% in 2017/18 to 57% in 2019/20.
• Bad weather (38%), lack of footpaths (26%), and cars driving too quickly (23%) remain the top reasons that discourage respondents from walking short journeys. 

Cycling

• 50% of respondents were satisfied with the current situation for cycling in their area.  This is a decrease from 55% in 2017/18. 
• Seven in ten respondents (71%) said they were ‘not satisfied’ with cycling in their area due to ‘no cycle lanes’.  This remains the most common response since 2017/18.
• Around one in seven (15%) respondents said they were likely to cycle short journeys (up to 3 miles/5km).
• As in previous years, the main reason respondents were unlikely to cycle short journeys is ‘don’t own/no access to a bicycle’ (62%). 

Public Transport

• 76% of respondents are satisfied with public transport and facilities in their area, an increase from 72% in 2017/18.
• Like previous years, the main reasons respondents are ‘not satisfied’ with public transport and facilities in their area are, ‘not enough services’ (68%), ‘no direct services to where I want to go’ (47%) and ‘times of buses/trains not suitable’ (40%).
• Almost a third (30%) of respondents said they never use public transport.
• Those who use public transport were asked what encourages them to do so.  They said: I find it convenient (50%) It is free (35%) It is a cheap way to travel (25%).

Notes to editors: 

1. The information presented in this publication derives from the 2019/20 Continuous Household Survey (CHS) in relation to walking, cycling and public transport.This was the third year that this question set was included in the CHS.The CHS is considered to be a representative sample of the population at household level.
2. A total of 2,962 adults aged 16 and over were surveyed in 2019/20 and 2,893 provided a response to the initial question.
3. It contains information on the proportion of people who are satisfied with walking, cycling and public transport in their area, and the proportion of people who are likely to walk or cycle short journeys, and the reasons why people are satisfied and dissatisfied with public transport in their area. The Department may use the information presented in this publication to inform and understand the story behind current trends and to assist in any future policy discussion and development.
4. This is an Official Statistics publication and therefore follows the Code of Practice for Statistics. You can find further information about the Code of Practice at: Statistics Authority
5. For more information relating to this publication, including additional analysis, breakdowns of data, or alternative formats please contact: Analysis, Statistics and Research, Branch, Room 4.13c, Clarence Court, 10 - 18 Adelaide Street, Town Parks BELFAST, BT2 8GB. Telephone: (028) 9054 0865 (Text relay prefix 18001). E-mail: asrb@nisra.gov.uk. Website: DfI Statistics and Research
6. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
7. The Executive Information Service operates an out-of-hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
8. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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