The Walking and Cycling in Northern Ireland 2024/25 report has been published today
Date published:
This report, produced by the Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB) of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI),
presents findings from the 2024/25 Continuous Household Survey (CHS).
The publication is available on the new Active Travel and Public Transport webpage.
Key points:
Active Travel
- In 2024/25, the majority of respondents (89%) said that they considered ‘walking’ to be active travel, while more than three-quarters (77%) said the same for ‘cycling.’
Walking in Northern Ireland
- More than three-fifths of respondents (61%) were satisfied with walking facilities in their area.
- Just under two-thirds of respondents (64%) indicated that they would be likely to walk short journeys (up to 3km / 2 miles).
- Walking to, and/ or from work was reported by 14% of respondents.
Almost three-fifths of those who indicated walking to work (58%) reported doing so 5 or more days a week.
Cycling in Northern Ireland
- Almost half of respondents (48%) indicated that they were satisfied with cycling facilities in their area.
- When asked if would be likely to cycle short journeys (up to 5km / 3 miles), 16% of respondents indicated that they would.
- Cycling to and/ or from work, was reported by 2% of respondents.
Notes to editors:
- The information presented in this publication derives from the 2024/25 Continuous Household Survey (CHS) in relation to walking and cycling. The CHS is considered to be a representative sample of the population at household level.
- In 2024/25, 3,790 households took part in the survey. Within those 3,790 households, a total of 4,584 individuals took part in the survey.
- The report provides information on people aged 16 and over in Northern Ireland on their levels of satisfaction with walking and cycling provision in their local area, their willingness to walk journeys of up to 2 miles (3km), cycle journeys of up to 3 miles (5km), and if they walk or cycle to and / or from work.
- The information will be used to assist the Department in focusing its policies on addressing the key issues that prevent people from taking up active and sustainable travel and to encourage more people to use active and sustainable methods of travel, where possible.
- Note: Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, NISRA suspended all face-to-face household interviews in March 2020. In the reporting periods, April 2020 - March 2021 and April 2021 - March 2022, all interviews carried out on the Continuous Household Survey (CHS) were conducted by telephone. For this reporting year, April 2024 - March 2025, face to face interviewing was the preferred method of data collecting however telephone interviewing was an option, thus making the survey dual-modality. There are a number of factors which users should take into consideration when interpreting the 2020-21 results and care should be taken when comparing these to previously published findings from the survey.
- The statistical report has been produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics, complying with the pillars of Trustworthiness, Quality and Value. You can find further information about the Code of Practice on UK Statistics Authority website.
- For more information relating to this publication, including additional analysis, breakdowns of data, or alternative formats please contact: Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch, 1st Floor, James House, Gasworks Site, 2-4 Cromac Avenue, Belfast, BT7 2JA Telephone: (028) 9054 0804 (Text relay prefix 18001). E-mail: asrb@nisra.gov.uk . Website: www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/topics/dfi-statistics-and-research. ASRB advise customers to make contact through email or by telephone.
- All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
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