The Walking and Cycling in Northern Ireland 2023/24 report has been published today.

This report, produced by the Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB) of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), presents findings from the 2023/24 Continuous Household Survey (CHS).

The publication is available on the new Active Travel and Public Transport webpage.

KEY POINTS

Active Travel

• In 2023/24, 89% of respondents said they considered 'walking' to be active travel, while 78% said the same for 'cycling'.

Walking in Northern Ireland

• Two thirds of respondents were satisfied with walking facilities in their area.
• 63% of respondents said that they would be likely to walk short journeys (up to 3km / 2 miles).

Cycling in Northern Ireland

• Less than 3 in 10 respondents own or have access to a bicycle.
• Of those who owned or had access to a bicycle, just under one third (31%) had cycled in the previous 4 weeks.
• 55% of respondents are satisfied with cycling facilities in their area, up from 46% in 2021/22.
• 16% of respondents said they would be likely to cycle short journeys (up to 5km / 3 miles).

Notes to editors:

1. The information presented in this publication derives from the 2023/24 Continuous Household Survey (CHS) in relation to Walking and Cycling. The CHS is considered to be a representative sample of the population at household level.
2. A total of 2,439 adults aged 16 and over were surveyed in 2023-24.
3. The report provides information on people aged 16 and over in Northern Ireland on their attitude towards cycling, their levels of satisfaction with walking and cycling provision in their local area and their willingness to walk journeys of up to 2 miles (3km), cycle journeys of up to 3 miles (5km).
4. The information will be used to assist the Department in focusing its policies on addressing the key issues that prevent people from taking up active and sustainable travel and to encourage more people to use active and sustainable methods of travel, where possible.
5. Note: Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, NISRA suspended all face-to-face household interviews in March 2020. In the reporting periods, April 2020 - March 2021 and April 2021 - March 2022, all interviews carried out on the Continuous Household Survey (CHS) were conducted by telephone. For this reporting year, April 2023 - March 2024, face to face interviewing was the preferred method of data collecting however telephone interviewing was an option, thus making the survey dual-modality. There are a number of factors which users should take into consideration when interpreting the 2020-21 results and care should be taken when comparing these to previously published findings from the survey.

Official Statistics

1. The statistical report has been produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics, complying with the pillars of Trustworthiness, Quality and Value. You can find further information about the Code of Practice on UK Statistics Authority website.

Additional Information

1. For more information relating to this publication, including additional analysis, breakdowns of data, or alternative formats please contact:

Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch,
1st Floor,
James House,
Gasworks Site,
2-4 Cromac Avenue,
Belfast,
BT7 2JA

• Telephone: (028) 9054 0804 (Text relay prefix 18001)
• E-mail: [email protected]
• Website: DfI Statistics and research
• ASRB advise customers to make contact through email or by telephone.

1. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: [email protected] or Tel: 028 9054 0007.
2. Follow the Department on X @deptinfra on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure and on LinkedIn at DfILinkedIn.

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