Publication of Walking And Cycling To/From Work In Northern Ireland 2016/2017

Date published: 29 March 2018

The Walking and Cycling to/from Work in Northern Ireland 2016/2017 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 2016/2017 Continuous Household Survey (CHS). 2014/2015 was the first year that this question set was included in the CHS and this is the third such report produced. The publication is available on the ASRB website at:

Statistical press release

https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/walking-and-cycling-0

Key Points

Walking to/from Work

  • Of the 1,625 respondents who travelled to work, 205 (13%) said that they normally walk[1] to or from work. The majority (87%) did not walk to or from work at all. These percentages are similar to 2014/2015 and 2015/2016.
  • Respondents aged 16-24 (27%) were more likely to normally walk to or from work than all other age groups.
  • Respondents from urban areas (16%) were more likely to normally walk to or from work than those from rural areas (7%).
  • Over two thirds (68%) walk 1 mile or less, on average, in one direction, over a quarter (27%) walk 2-3 miles, 4% walk 4-5 miles. There has been no change since 2014/2015.
  • Just over half (52%) of respondents who reported that they normally walk to or from work said they walk 5 days per week on average.

Cycling to/from Work

  • Of the 1,625 respondents who travelled to work, 31 respondents (2%) said they normally cycle[2] to or from work. The majority (98%) said they do not cycle to or from work. There has been no change since 2014/2015.
  • Of the 31 respondents who normally cycle to or from work, over two fifths (42%) cycle 2-3 miles, on average, in one direction.  Over a quarter (26%) cycle 6 miles or more, just under a fifth (19%) cycle 1 mile or less and the remaining 13% cycle 4-5 miles in one direction. These percentages are similar to 2014/2015 and 2015/16.
  • Just under two fifths (39%) of respondents who reported that they normally cycle to or from work said they cycle 5 days per week on average. 16% of respondents said they cycle 3 days per week, 19% cycle 2 days per week and 13% cycle 1 day per week.

[1] Walked for any part of the way to or from work for at least 10 minutes

[2] Cycled for any part of the way to or from work for at least 10 minutes

Notes to editors: 

Background

The information presented in this publication derives from the 2016/2017 Continuous Household Survey (CHS) in relation to walking and cycling to/ from work by persons in the north of Ireland.  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 north of Ireland population at household level.

A total of 3,262 adults aged 16 and over were surveyed in 2016/2017.  Questions were asked of those persons that were classified as being in employment, i.e. those that did paid work in the last week, or on a government-supported training scheme, or away from a job/ business, or unpaid work for own or family business, a total of 1,731 adults. 1,729 adults provided a response to the initial question.

Travelwise NI is the Department for Infrastructure’s (DfI) initiative to encourage people to choose sustainable transport options such as walking, cycling, public transport or car sharing.  Its main promotional activities are directed towards three groups of road users; Schools, Commuters and Employers.  DfI will use the information presented in this publication to monitor the effectiveness of the Travelwise NI initiatives that are aimed at increasing the proportion of commuters who travel actively to work.

Official Statistics

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: http://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/assessment/code-of-practice/index.html.

Further Information

For further information please contact:

Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch
Department for Infrastructure
Clarence Court
10-18 Adelaide Street
Belfast BT2 8GB

Tel (public enquiries): 028 9054 0801 (Text relay prefix 18001)

E-mail: ASRB@nisra.gov.uk

Website: www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/topics/dfi-statistics-and-research

All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Press Office on 028 9054 0007 or email: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974 383.

 

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