Abstract
Cycling is an important form of active transport and physical activity to provide substantial health benefits to the elderly. Among voluminous physical activity-related literature, few studies have investigated the correlates of active transport of the rural elderly in China. This study was the first attempt to investigate the impact of the household, personal, and environmental attributes on rural elderly’s cycling activity with data collected in 102 rural neighborhoods of Zhongshan Metropolitan Area, China. The negative binomial regression models suggest that, all else being equal, living in a neighborhood with low proportion of elderly population (over 60), abundant bike lanes, and a compact urban form related to high density and mixed development, are associated with the increase of frequency and duration of the rural elderly’s cycling trips. The models also detect that attitude towards cycling and household bicycle and motorized vehicle ownership are strongly related to cycling trips of the rural elderly in Zhongshan. The findings provide insights for transportation and public health agencies, practitioners, and researchers into the effective design of interventions from the prospective of attitudes, social and built environment on health promotion of the rural elderly in China.
Highlights
There is strong evidence that regular active transport provides substantial health benefits to the elderly [1]
This study adds to the existing literature by exploring the relationship between household, personal and environmental attributes and rural elderly’s cycling activity in the Chinese context with data collected in 102 rural neighborhoods of Zhongshan Metropolitan Area
The findings on the correlation of attitude imply the potential effects of the dissemination of health life style involving cycling activity among the rural elderly
Summary
There is strong evidence that regular active transport provides substantial health benefits to the elderly [1]. As a part of physical activity, is positively associated with prevention of chronic diseases, disability, and bone fractures among the elderly [2]. As an important form of active transport to promote in the Chinese elderly, cycling is accessible and easy to incorporate into daily life. To promote cycling among the elderly is a crucial component of efforts to improve their overall physical activity levels. Among China’s elderly population, 60% live in the rural area. It is a challenge to promote active transport among the China’s rural elderly as the motorization has been spread from the urban areas to the rural ones and the mode split of active transport is keeping shrinking. Since 2007, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
