Promoting the public health benefits of cycling

Abstract

The potential health gain from increased levels of cycling in Britain is large. This paperreviews current levels of bicycle ownership and use, and the factors which influence whether or not people choose to cycle in Britain. Cycle ownership is strongly associated with affluence and children. Males cycle more than females. Boys aged 11–15 years cycle the greatest number of miles per person per week, followed by men aged 16–59 years. Cycling to work is weakly associated with affluence. Modelling cycling to work patterns suggests that hilliness, traffic danger, rainfall and longer trip lengths are important deferrents to cycling. Cyclists identify cheapness, health, convenience and enjoyment as reasons for cycling. Non-cyclists identify danger, ‘unpleasantness’ (e.g. traffic fumes, weather), bike security and cycling not appealing as reasons for not cycling. Part of the lack of appeal of cycling reflects negative social attitudes towards cycling. Cycling has tended to be seen as a childhood activity and incompatible with an attractive and sophisticated image. Departments of Public Health Medicine and Health Promotion, in collaboration withother sectors, have an important role to play in promoting increased levels of cycling.