Large unmet demand for cycling from ethnic minorities

Following the new Obesity Strategy, walking and cycling charity Sustrans has launched a new report that outlines practical steps to make urban cycling more inclusive.

Cycling for Everyone, a new report by Sustrans and Arup, highlights inequalities within cycling participation in urban areas between different demographics, including those from ethnic minority groups, women, disabled people, older people and those at greater risk of deprivation.

The pandemic pandemic has brought to light many disparities within society, with people from ethnic minority groups and other disadvantaged communities being disproportionately affected by coronavirus, and over-represented within the key worker sector.

Now it has been revealed that, while cycling has proved its worth during the pandemic, as a safe and socially distanced way for people to get exercise and as a means to travel to work and for other essential journeys, 74 per cent of people from ethnic minority groups living in cities and towns do not currently cycle.

Despite low participation levels, the report found 55 per cent of people from ethnic minority groups who do not currently cycle would like to start, compared to 37 per cent of white people. However, the transport sector is not doing enough to address the barriers people from ethnic minority groups and other disadvantaged communities face.

The report highlights a lack of confidence, security, as well as the financial outlay of purchasing a cycle, as being some of the barriers that are more likely to prevent those from ethnic minority groups and other disadvantaged communities from cycling. It claims: 33 per cent of people from ethnic minority groups were not confident in their cycling skills; 25 per cent of people from ethnic minority groups stated that a lack of facilities at home or work was a barrier to cycling; and 20 per cent of people from ethnic minority groups stated the cost of a suitable cycle stopped them from cycling.

Daisy Narayanan, director of Urbanism at Sustrans said: “This report brings to light that for too long, the needs of so many have been ignored within cycle planning and development. In order to work towards real change and make cycling more inclusive, we call upon the industry, local authorities and central government to welcome and support all people to cycle. It is only when we move away from exclusively designing towns and cities for those who already have access to move through spaces with ease, can we really create equitable places to live and work.”