Publication of Cycling In Northern Ireland 2017/2018

The Cycling in Northern Ireland 2017/2018 report is now available.

This report, produced by the Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB) of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), presents findings from the 2017/2018 Continuous Household Survey (CHS).  The publication is available on the ASRB website at:

• Walking and cycling research

Key points

Bicycle Ownership

• 36% of respondents had access to a bicycle – this comprises 32% who owned a bicycle, with another 3% reporting they had access to a bicycle owned by someone else. The 36% reported in 2017/18 is greater than the 32% reported in 2016/2017.
• Male respondents (39%) were more likely to own a bicycle than female respondents (24%).
• Respondents from a rural area (34%) were more likely than those from an urban area (30%) to own a bicycle.
• Respondents living in the least-deprived areas (40%) were more likely to own a bicycle than those living in most-deprived areas (22%).

Whether cycled in the last four weeks

• Of the 910 respondents who had access to a bicycle in 2017/2018, 27% had cycled in the last 4 weeks. This is not significantly different to the proportion reported in 2016/2017.
• Male respondents (34%) were more likely than female respondents (18%) to have cycled in the last four weeks.
• Those in urban areas (31%) were more likely than those in rural areas (21%) to have cycled in the last 4 weeks.

Frequency of cycling

• Of the 234 respondents who had cycled in the last 4 weeks, 36% cycled at least once a fortnight, 23% cycled at least once a week, 18% cycled 2-4 days a week, 14% cycled once every 4 weeks, and 8% cycled 5-7 days a week.

Reasons for cycling

• The most popular reasons stated by respondents for cycling were for exercise (83%) and for enjoyment (74%).
• Fewer than three-in-ten respondents chose any of the other reasons for cycling: 29% stated that ‘it is a cheap way to travel (there are no costs for fuel, car parking or bus/ train fares)’; 26% said ‘I find it convenient (I live close to work, education, shops)’; 20% stated they cycle ‘for environmental reasons’; 19% said ‘I have no car’; and a further 19% stated ‘it saves time (e.g. to avoid traffic jams)’.
• Proportions in 2017/18 were not significantly different to 2016/17, with the exception of having no car which increased from 13% in 2016/17 to 19% in 2017/18.

Attitudes to cycling

All respondents were shown four statements, and asked which best describes their attitude to cycling.

• Almost two-thirds (63%) of all respondents were in the ‘No Way No How’ group.  Under one-fifth (17%) were in ‘The Interested but Concerned’ group, 15% in ‘The Enthused and the Confident’ group and 4% in ‘The Strong and the Fearless’ group. This latter category was the only group to experience a change from the last survey, increasing from 3% in 2016/17 to 4% in 2017/18.

Notes to editors: 

Background

1. The information presented in this publication derives from the 2017/18 Continuous Household Survey (CHS) in relation to cycling.  The CHS is considered to be a representative sample of the population at household level. A total of 2,785 adults aged 16 and over were surveyed in 2017/18.  The set of questions on cycling in Northern Ireland was first included in the 2016/17 Continuous Household Survey (CHS), and where applicable, comparisons are made between the two years. 
2. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) will use the information presented in this publication to support policy development and monitor the effectiveness of the Bicycle Strategy for Northern Ireland (2015).
3. This is an Official Statistics publication and therefore follows the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. You can find further information about the Code of Practice at: Statistics Authority.

Further Information

For further information please contact:

• Tel (press enquiries): 028 9054 0007
• Tel (public enquiries): 028 9054 0865 (Text relay prefix 18001)
• E-mail: ASRB@nisra.gov.uk
• Website: Statistics and Research

4. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office on 028 9054 0007 or email: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk. Out of hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110.

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