Statistical press release – Publication of Walking and Cycling to and/or from work in Northern Ireland 2018/19

This report, produced by the Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB) of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), presents findings from the 2018/2019 Continuous Household Survey (CHS). This is the fourth time that this question set has been included in the CHS and since 2016/17, it has been included biennially. Hence, there are no results for 2017/18.

This is the fourth time that this question set has been included in the CHS and since 2016/17, it has been included biennially.  Hence, there are no results for 2017/18.

The publication is available on the ASRB website at: Walking and Cycling

Key points

Walking to and/or from work

• Of the respondents who travelled to or from work, a tenth (10%) said that they normally walk to and from work, 1% said they normally walk either to or from work, while the remaining 89% did not walk to or from work at all. These figures are similar to 2016/17, and there has been no change in the longer term trend since 2014/15.
• Of the 162 respondents who walk to and/or from work, 92% walked all of the way.
• Six in ten (60%) walk 1 mile or less, on average, in one direction, a third (34%) walk 2-3 miles, 5% walk 4+ miles.
• Of those respondents who reported that they normally walk to and/or from work, 6 in 10 (60%) said that on average, they walked for 5 or more days per week.
• Almost one in five (19%) of those aged 16-24 walked to and/or from work.
• By Council area, proportions of those walking to and/or from work ranged from 5% in North Down & Ards to almost a quarter (23%) in Belfast.

Cycling to and/or from work

• Of the respondents who travelled to or from work, 2% said that they normally cycle to and/or from work.
• Males (4%) were more likely to cycle to and/or from work than females (1%).
• There has been an increase in the proportion of respondents aged 16-24 (4%) who cycled to and/or from work since 2016/17 (0%).
• By Council area, proportions of those cycling to and/or from work ranged from 0% in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to 6% in Mid and East Antrim.
• Respondents living in urban areas were more likely to walk (15%) and cycle (3%) to and/or from work than those living in rural areas (5% and 1%).

Notes to editors: 

1. Background: The information presented in this publication derives from the 2018/2019 Continuous Household Survey (CHS) in relation to questions on walking and cycling to work.  The CHS is considered to be a representative sample of the population at household level.  The 2018/19 survey was based on a random sample of 9,000 domestic addresses drawn from the Land and Property Services list of addresses and interviews were sought with all adults aged 16 and over in these households.  Questions on walking and cycling to work 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 1,579 provided a response to the initial question, and 100 adults indicated that they worked from home.
2. Official Statistics: 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.
3. For further information please contact:

• Tel:  Press Enquiries - 028 9054 0007
• Tel : Public Enquiries – 028 9054 0029 (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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