Inclusive cycling in cities and towns

This 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 mirrored 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

This is despite the UK having a legal obligation through the Equality Act 2010 to protect everyone from discrimination in wider society.

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 people and disabled people to inform the transport sector to make urban cycling fully inclusive.