Walking, Cycling and Public Transport in Northern Ireland 2021/22, has been published today

Date published: 24 November 2022

The ‘Walking, Cycling and Public Transport in Northern Ireland 2021/22’ report is now available.

Statistical press release

This report, produced by the Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB) of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), presents findings from the 2021/22 Continuous Household Survey (CHS).

The publication is available on the ASRB website at:

KEY POINTS

Walking in Northern Ireland

  • In 2021/22 almost 9 out of 10 (85%) respondents said they considered ‘walking’ to be active travel, while around 4 in 5 (77%) said the same for ‘cycling’.
  • Just over two thirds (67%) were satisfied with walking facilities in their area, down from 74% in 2020/21.
  • 63% of respondents said that they would be likely to walk short journeys (up to 2 miles / 3km).

Cycling in Northern Ireland

  • A third of respondents (33%) own or have access to a bicycle.
  • Of those who owned or had access to a bicycle, just over a third (34%) had cycled in the previous four weeks.
  • Less than half (46%) of respondents are satisfied with cycling facilities in their area, down from 53% in 2020/21.

Public Transport in Northern Ireland

  • Around 8 in 10 (79%) respondents are satisfied with Public transport facilities in their area, around the same as in 2020/21.
  • Almost two in ten (18%) of respondents used public transport at least a few times per month, and 65% used public transport at least once a year.
  • Almost all (95%) respondents felt ‘very safe’ or ‘fairly safe’ when using public transport.

Notes to editors: 

  1. The information presented in this publication derives from the 2021/22 Continuous Household Survey (CHS) in relation to Walking, Cycling and Public Transport.  The CHS is considered to be a representative sample of the population at household level.
  2. A total of 4,103 adults aged 16 and over were surveyed in 2021/22. 
  3. The report contains information on modes of transport considered to be ‘active travel’, satisfaction with walking and cycling facilities in their area, likelihood to walk or cycle short journeys, frequency of public transport use, and satisfaction with public transport. The ‘Cycling in NI’ report from the CHS is published biennially and is included within this release. It contains information on bicycle access, frequency of cycling and attitudes towards cycling.
  4. The Department may use the information presented in this publication to inform and understand the story behind current trends and to assist in any future policy discussion and development.
  5. Note: Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, data collection for the 2020/21 survey moved from face-to-face interviewing to telephone mode with a reduction in the number of questions.
  6. 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

  1. Additional Information

For more information relating to this publication, including additional analysis, breakdowns of data, or alternative formats please contact:

Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch,
Room 5.25,
Clarence Court,
10 - 18 Adelaide Street,
Town Parks
BELFAST,
BT2 8GB     
  1. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
  2. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hour’s 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.
  3. Follow us on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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