Inclusive cycling in towns and cities

This report says that a third of disabled people in UK cities would like to start cycling but are being held back by ‘systematic barriers’.

The report, authored by active travel charity Sustrans and transport consultants Arup, estimates 84% of disabled people living in urban areas never cycle for local journeys – yet 33% say they would like to do so.

This significant interest in everyday cycling is also prevalant among women (32%) and people over 65-years-old (15%).

However, the report finds these demographics face systematic barriers when it comes to riding a bike, including:

• An association that cycling isn’t an activity for people like ‘them’
• Heightened safety concerns when sharing road space with motor vehicles
• Lack of ‘seamless and dedicated’ cycle infrastructure to connect people to everyday destinations
• Access to, and the high cost of, adapted cycles – including electric cycles

The report recommends that local authorities should ensure the voices of underrepresented groups are integrated in policy and planning, and create a dense network of cycling routes within and around where people live.

Sustrans and Arup will use the initial findings from the report as a basis for further work to engage with organisations representing women, older and disabled people to inform the transport sector in order to make urban cycling fully inclusive.