DATA INSIGHTS - What makes people more likely to cycle to work?

We know from past research that cycling is a relatively cheap form of transport; is good exercise that keeps cyclists physically healthy and emits no pollution or noise, as well as often being quicker than motorised transport in many city centres. Even with all these benefits, only 2% of people in Scotland commute to work by bicycle. We therefore commenced our current research which focuses on whether cycling to work benefits mental health as well as what makes people more likely to cycle to work. The latter research forms our focus for today's Data Insights.

The Scottish Government's 2030 Vision for Active Travel encourages people to walk and cycle for everyday shorter journeys by 2030 and the Active Travel Framework, produced by Transport Scotland and key delivery partners, brings together key policy approaches to improving the uptake of walking and cycling in Scotland for travel.

Our research, summarised in our Data Insights provides further evidence for these strategies on the barriers to cycling and insights which can help to shape future cycle infrastructure. Hopefully Government, alongside active travel stakeholders and health agencies, can use our research findings to support evidence-based understanding on how to attract people to become active commuters and cycle to work.

We look forward to sharing our research on commuting and mental health soon.