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New research based on the analysis of Census 2001 and 2011 data has found that growing cycling levels have not been accompanied by greater age and gender diversity.

The research, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), and part of a project led by the Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), found that in places where cycling to work has risen, cycle commuting has remained a disproportionately male activity. It has also become even more skewed towards younger age groups. 

The findings are surprising because places where cycling levels are higher tend have higher proportions of female and older cyclists. For example, in the Netherlands, women cycle more than men, while in Cambridge, which has the UK’s highest cycling levels, almost equal proportions of men and women cycle to work.

The researchers first looked at the relationship between cycling levels and gender balance in all English and Welsh local authorities, using the 2001 and 2011 Census data. In both years there was a clear relationship: areas where cycling levels were higher, such as Cambridge, had a greater proportion of female cyclists. By contrast in areas with very low cycling levels, the gender ratio was extremely unequal, with men up to 14 times more likely to cycle to work than women.

The researchers then looked at representation of older adults (aged 55-74) among commuting cyclists. In 2001, authorities with higher cycling levels tended to have more equal representation of older people among cycle commuters, although in 2011 the relationship was less clear.

Given these cross-sectional results, the authors had expected to find that where cycling has risen, the mix of people cycling would become more equal in terms of age and gender. However, when looking at local authority areas where cycling has gone up, they found this wasn’t the case. Although more women are cycling in those areas, the gender balance isn’t becoming any more equal - cycling is still disproportionately attracting men. The under-representation of older people among cyclists actually increased.

Inner London is one of cycling’s success stories in that cycle commuting rose from 3.8 per cent to 7.2 per cent of workers from 2001 to 2011. However, gender disparities remain, with men continuing to be around 50 per cent more likely to cycle to work than women. And the proportion of older cyclists among Inner London commuters fell from one in seven to around one in ten.

The paper’s lead author Dr Aldred, at the University of Westminster, comments:

“We know from the Netherlands and Denmark that women and older people will cycle, if the conditions are right. But these results show that UK policymakers cannot assume that if cycling grows it will inevitably become more diverse. This has not happened and so we should be targeting policy towards currently under-represented groups. In particular, evidence shows that women have particularly strong preferences for cycle infrastructure fully separated from motor traffic.”

Further information

ESRC press office

• Susie Watts 
  Email: susie.watts@esrc.ac.uk
  Telephone: 01793 413119

Notes for editors

• The study will be published by the peer-reviewed academic journal Transport Reviews on 27 February. It forms part of a project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council under the Secondary Data Analysis Initiative. The lead author, Dr Rachel Aldred from Westminster University, is available to speak to the press.
• The study used Census journey-to-work data looking at gender and age balance among cycle commuters in 2001 and 2011. The analysis explored whether there was any statistically significant association between change in cycling to work and change in the representation of women and older people among cycling commuters. It found that:
  • where cycling had increased, there was no statistically significant change in gender ratio
  • where cycling had declined, there was a reduction in the proportion of women cycling
  • where cycling had increased, the under-representation of older people had increased.
• The study was conducted by Dr Rachel Aldred, University of Westminster; Dr James Woodcock Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge; and Dr Anna Goodman, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
• The Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) is studying the factors that influence dietary and physical activity related behaviours, developing and evaluating public health interventions, and helping shape public health practice and policy. CEDAR is one of five Centres of Excellence in Public Health Research funded through the UK Clinical Research Collaboration, and is a partnership between the University of Cambridge, the University of East Anglia and MRC Units in Cambridge. The Centre acknowledges the support of the Medical Research Centre, National Institute for Health Research, Wellcome Trust, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, the Economic and Social Research Council, and the University of Cambridge.
• The University of Westminster boasts a vibrant learning environment attracting more than 20,000 students from over 150 nations and we continue to invest in our future with new developments, research projects and new ideas. We offer highly attractive practice-based courses which are independently rated as excellent, many with international recognition. Our distinguished 175-year history has meant we lead the way in many areas of research, particularly politics, media, art and design, architecture and biomedical sciences, and our position in the city of London allows us to continue to build on our close connections with leading figures and organisations in these areas as well as in the worlds of business, information technology, politics and law.
• The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is a world-leading centre for research and postgraduate education in public and global health, with 3,900 students and more than 1,000 staff working in over 100 countries. The School is one of the highest-rated research institutions in the UK, and was recently cited as the world's leading research-focused graduate school. Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice.
• Anna Goodman’s contribution to the paper was funded by a post-doctoral research Fellowship from the National Institute for Health Research. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Since its establishment in April 2006, the NIHR has transformed research in the NHS. It has increased the volume of applied health research for the benefit of patients and the public, driven faster translation of basic science discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and the economy, and developed and supported the people who conduct and contribute to applied health research. The NIHR plays a key role in the Government's strategy for economic growth, attracting investment by the life-sciences industries through its world-class infrastructure for health research. Together, the NIHR people, programmes, centres of excellence and systems represent the most integrated health research system in the world. For further information, visit the NIHR website. This press release presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.
• The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK’s largest funder of research on the social and economic questions facing us today. It supports the development and training of the UK’s future social scientists and also funds major studies that provide the infrastructure for research. ESRC-funded research informs policymakers and practitioners and helps make businesses, voluntary bodies and other organisations more effective. The ESRC also works collaboratively with six other UK research councils and Innovate UK to fund cross-disciplinary research and innovation addressing major societal challenges. The ESRC is an independent organisation, established by Royal Charter in 1965, and funded mainly by the Government. In 2015 it celebrates its 50th anniversary.