Help city leaders meet the urgent need to build more innovative, connected, and expansive cycling infrastructure that serves as many residents as possible.
A guide for inclusive cycling in cities and tows.
Free cycle training for all people » Training should be provided to all children in the UK, ensuring accessibility, for example where children might need adapted cycles. » Cycle training, including Bikeability, should also be offered to all adults too. » Work, through existing community organisations, with groups that culturally may be less inclined to cycle and ensure community organisations and increase long-term financial support for third sector projects that bring cycling to new audiences. » Support community training provision by offering access to adapted cycles and in assisted cycling, for example, rickshaw sides which allow people to experience the feeling of cycling without actually cycling. » Take cycling to people through mobile hubs – do not assume people will come to you. » Better link to the health sector. People listen to messages from professional and trusted people like doctors, for example the use of social prescribing.
66% of people from ethnic minority groups, 63% of people more likely to be at risk of deprivation, 57% of women, and 55% of disabled people would find cycle training helpful to start cycling or cycle more. Bike Life, 2019
Build confidence, and make cycling fun » Deliver social guided cycle rides » Create spaces for people to cycle and socialise with others, for example by having a café and social activities ran alongside cycle training. » Workplaces should do more to promote inclusive cycling amongst their employees, for example setting up a cycle club, and reimbursing staff who cycle for work at a competitive rate compared to using public transport.
Cycling can help people access the things they need: work, education, food, health services and recreation. Cycling can benefit physical and mental wellbeing and help reduce social and economic inequity. However, many people are currently excluded from cycling. Despite a large appetite from different demographic groups to start cycling, large percentages of people aged over 65, disabled people, women, people at risk of deprivation and people from ethnic minority groups, never cycle.
To change this, cycling must become more inclusive. Together with Sustrans, Arup make a number of recommendations in this guidance for local and national governments to follow.