The Walking and Cycling in Northern Ireland 2025/26 report, published
Topics:
Date published:
Walking and Cycling in Northern Ireland 2025/26, findings from the Continuous Household Survey (CHS), has been published today.
The publication is available on the Department for Infrastructure website.
Key Points:
Active Travel
- In 2025/26, the majority of respondents (88%) said that they considered ‘walking’ to be active travel, while around two-thirds (67%) said the same for ‘cycling’.
Walking in Northern Ireland
- More than three-fifths of respondents (62%) were satisfied with the current situation for walking and walkers in their local area.
- Almost two-thirds of respondents (64%) indicated that they would be likely to walk short journeys (up to 3km / 2 miles).
Cycling in Northern Ireland
- Just under a third (31%) of respondents had access to a cycle.
- Of those who owned or had access to a cycle, 30% had cycled in the previous 4 weeks.
- Just over half of respondents (51%) indicated that they were satisfied with the current situation for cyclists in their local area.
- In 2025/26, 18% of respondents said they would be likely to cycle short journeys (up to 5km / 3 miles).
Notes to editors:
- Official Statistics - 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.
- This report, produced by the Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB) of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), presents findings from the 2025/26 Continuous Household Survey (CHS) in relation to walking and cycling in Northern Ireland. The CHS is considered to be a representative sample of the population at household level.
- In 2025/26, a total of 3,459 households took part in the survey; within those 3,459 households, a total of 4,004 individuals took part in the survey. To reduce survey length, the questionnaire consisted of a split sample. This means that depending on the serial number of the questionnaire (even or odd) the respondents would be exposed to a different set of questions for part of the questionnaire. Walking and cycling questions were included in even versions of the questionnaire only.
- 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 their attitudes towards cycling.
- 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 2025 - March 2026, 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.
- For more information relating to this publication, including additional analysis, breakdowns of data, or alternative formats please contact:
- Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch, First Floor, James House, Cromac Avenue, Belfast, BT7 2JB
- Telephone: (028) 9034 6270 E-mail: asrb@nisra.gov.uk
- Website: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/topics/dfi-statistics-and-research
- All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
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