Cycling
Making cycling accessible for all
in their area and tackle the social and environmental issues they face, they need to do so equitably. This requires looking at the reasons why people may not cycle. The main reason people don’t cycle, that traverses all social groups, is safety, with 37 per cent of people in socio-economic groups D and E concerned about it. The difference is that, as highlighted above, the often limited access to other modes of transport Rachel White, head of Public Affairs at Sustrans, discusses the puts them at a greater disadvantage in socio-economic gap in urban cycling, as well as cities’ actions terms of mobility and at a far greater to reduce car use and traffic emissions chance of suffering transport poverty. Second, there’s an image problem when Congestion, the climate emergency, air it comes to cycling. Bike Life city reports Transport poverty pollution, obesity and physical inactivity, also reveal that 19 per cent of people in The differences in levels of cycling in unemployment, retail vitality. These are issues socio-economic groups D and E do not different socio-economic groups is that every local authority faces across the see cycling as an activity ‘for people like compounded by the fact that there is often country. They all have something in common: them’, compared to just nine per cent poorer public transport provision and they can be improved by an increase in from socio-economic groups A and B. fewer local amenities in disadvantaged communities walking and cycling, and the We all need to play a role in dismantling neighbourhoods. This is coupled with 46 per reduction in car use that comes with this. But the image of a white male on a cycle as cent of those in socio-economic groups D the benefits of cycling are not being spread and E not having access to a car. This can being ‘the cyclist’. Not every cyclist is on fairly and social inequality exists. With local increase the risk of transport poverty and a mission to get a new Strava personal authorities under great financial pressure stop people from being able to access best on the way to work. Cycling is an we are in danger of perpetuating existing job opportunities, recreational activity that everyone, regardless inequalities rather than reducing them. opportunities or other of their sex, ethnicity, ability Bike Life is the UK’s biggest assessment of amenities that they need, or background should feel If local cycling in 12 major cities and urban areas. such as healthcare. safe and able to do. authorit ie In 2019 it surveyed nearly 17,000 residents, The answer to this There needs to be more s w to incre ant some of which cycle, many of which don’t. clearly isn’t more cars images of women, a s e w and cyc The findings showed that only 10 per cent in already congested older, disabled ling in t alking of people from socio-economic groups D and polluted cities. and BAME people heir are and tac a kle the and E (people in semi-skilled and unskilled The answer is cycling in the media and env social occupations, and people not in employment) access to affordable, and advertising. ir o cycle at least once a week. This compares clean, efficient and issues t nmental to 19 per cent of people in socio-economic safe alternatives. Actions for the they ne hey face, groups A and B (people in managerial jobs The answer is government to ed to d and professionals). Despite this, there is public transport, level up cycling equitab o so ly appetite amongst people from socio-economic Our findings follow walking and cycling. groups D and E to start cycling, with 30 per the launch of the Marmot If local authorities want cent of people wanting to start cycling. review last month which to increase walking and cycling
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