Publication of ‘Cycling In Northern Ireland 2016/2017’ Report

The Cycling 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).

The publication is available on the ASRB website at: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/walking-and-cycling-0

Key Points

Bicycle Ownership

• 32% of respondents had access to a bicycle.
• Male respondents (33%) were more likely to own a bicycle than female respondents (22%).
• Respondents from a rural area (34%) were more likely than those from an urban area (24%) to own a bicycle.
• Bicycle ownership was highest in Lisburn & Castlereagh District Council (36%) and lowest in Mid Ulster District Council (14%).

Whether cycled in the last 4 weeks

• Of the 932 respondents who had access to a bicycle, 30% had cycled in the last 4 weeks.
• Male respondents (36%) were more likely than female respondents (22%) to have cycled in the last four weeks.
• Those in urban areas (33%) were more likely than those in rural areas (26%) to have cycled in the last 4 weeks.

Frequency of cycling

• Of the 271 respondents who had cycled in the last 4 weeks, 31% cycled at least once a fortnight, 30% cycled at least once a week, 17% cycled once every 4 weeks, 17% cycled 2-4 days a week and 6% cycled 5-7 days a week.

Reasons for cycling

• The most popular reasons stated by respondents for cycling were for exercise (80%) and for enjoyment (80%).
• Just over a quarter (26%) stated that ‘it is a cheap way to travel (there are no costs for fuel, car parking or bus/ train fares)’, over a fifth (22%) said ‘I find it convenient (I live close to work, education, shops)’, 17% stated they cycle ‘for environmental reasons’, 17% said ‘it saves time (e.g. to avoid traffic jams)’, and 13% said ‘I have no car’.

Attitudes to cycling

• All respondents were shown four statements, and asked which best describes their attitude to cycling.
• Almost two thirds (64%) of all respondents were in the ‘No Way No How’ group.  Just under a fifth (19%) were in ‘The Interested but Concerned’ group, 14% in ‘The Enthused and the Confident’ group and 3% in ‘The Strong and the Fearless’ group.

Notes to editors: 

Background

The information presented in this publication derives from the 2016/2017 Continuous Household Survey (CHS) in relation to cycling.  The CHS is considered to be a representative sample of the population at household level. Whilst this set of questions on cycling was included in the May 2015 Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey, 2016/17 was the first year that the question set was included in the Continuous Household Survey (CHS). Although both surveys are representative of the population, due to differing methodologies the surveys are not directly comparable, however some 2015 Omnibus results have been included in the report for illustrative purposes. A total of 3,262 adults aged 16 and over were surveyed in 2016/2017. 

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) will use the information presented in this publication to monitor the effectiveness of the Bicycle Strategy for Northern Ireland (2015).

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:

• Tel (public enquiries): 028 9054 0865 (Text relay prefix 18001)
• 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 (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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