The Continuous Household Survey 2017/18 (NI)

The results of this public satisfaction survey in Northern Ireland show that just over half of people are satisfied with cycling conditions in their area.

The Continuous Household Survey 2017/18 asked, for the first time, the public’s views on satisfaction with public transport, walking and cycling in Northern Ireland.

72% of respondents were satisfied with public transport provision in their area, while 55% were satisfied with cycling conditions.

The main reasons why people weren’t satisfied with cycling were the lack of cycle lanes (69%), ‘too much traffic’ (42%) and ‘traffic goes too fast’ (41%).

People in urban areas (60%) were more likely to report satisfaction with the current provision for cycling and cyclists in their local area than people in rural areas (48%).

However, there was no significant difference between males and females, or between the youngest and oldest age groups.

36% were not satisfied with provision for walking – with complaints including ‘poor lighting at night’ (51%), ‘traffic goes too fast’ (49%), ‘poor footpath conditions’ (43%) and ‘not enough footpaths’ (43%).

Those aged 16-24 years (75%) were more likely to report satisfaction with the current provision for walking and walkers in their local area than those aged 65+ years (60%).

However, 54% of respondents said they would be likely to walk short distances of up to two miles – while 17% said they would be likely to cycle any journeys of up to three miles.