This project is part of the ESRC Secondary Data call.

Analysis of Census 2011 data has shown has although cross- sectionally there is a strong correlation between cycling levels and gender (and to a less extent age) equity in cycling, increases in cycling have not been associated with improvements in gender equity and have seen a slight worsening of age equity.

Re-analysis of secondary qualitative data from multiple studies has investigated the role of cycle safety clothing, specifically helmets and high-visibility clothing. In England such items are widely promoted in safety campaigns and in broader cycling publicity, particularly for children. We found reported use of safety clothing was strongly associated with perceived threat from motor vehicles, but accompanied by scepticism about effectiveness. Many interviewees felt and/or exerted social pressure to wear a helmet, and, to a lesser extent, high-visibility clothing. Analysis identified a widespread dislike of safety clothing, sometimes linked to talk about cycling less because of the perceived need to wear such clothing. We found evidence of resistance to social pressure, expressed by complaining about inconvenience, discomfort (helmets), and personal appearance.

New methods in spatial microsimulation have been applied to Census 2011 data to allocate individuals to Census flows. This approach is valuable for generation of synthetic populations for agent based modelling, activity based modelling, and other individual level modelling. The approach has fed into the development of the NPCT project approach.

The project ran from February 2013 to October 2014.

Investigators

• James Woodcock (CEDAR, Principal Investigator).
• Ali Abbas(CEDAR, Research Associate)
• Rachel Aldred (University of Westminster)
• Zaid Chalabi (LSHTM)
• Rita Newton (University of Salford)

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Publications

Changing Commutes publications on the MRC Epidemiology Unit publications database.

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Data sharing

The MRC Epidemiology Unit is committed to sharing data to maximise the value of our work for the public good. Please see our Data Sharing pages for more information.