Free-to-use cycle provision schemes have potential to encourage cycling and reduce inequalities

Dalton, Alice, Burke, Amanda and Jones, Andy (2022) Free-to-use cycle provision schemes have potential to encourage cycling and reduce inequalities. Journal of Transport and Health, 26. ISSN 2214-1413

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Abstract

Introduction: Cycling is an accessible, cheap way of incorporating health-promoting physical activity into everyday routines. One approach to facilitate engagement is to provide cycles through population-level approaches, such as commercial bike share schemes. However, these may increase health inequalities. An alternative is delivering cycle provision through not-for-profit and targeted schemes. However, there is a lack of peer-reviewed evidence on what comprises successful design and implementation. Methods: An evaluation of two not-for-profit cycle provision schemes in Norfolk, England, is conducted: The Cycle Loan Scheme (CLS) aimed at the general population, and Welcome Wheels (WW) for refugees/asylum seekers. Quantitative measures assess the extent to which the schemes recruited and engaged groups of need (non-cyclists, women, over 55 years-of-age, living in deprived areas, not White British). Baseline and follow-up surveys established cycling frequency (absolute and change), and motivators, benefits, and barriers to taking part. Responses were compared across groups of need. Results: At baseline, 87% of the 613 CLS participants were from a group of need, whilst 100% of WW participants (n=214) were. At follow-up, CLS participants (n=413) reported cycling a median of 5.5 hours a week (15 reported zero hours), an increase of 3.5 hours from baseline. Non-cyclists were less likely to engage than cyclists. WW participants (n=65) cycled a median five days per week at follow-up (all reported some cycling), an increase for 92%. Females were less likely to engage than males; all non-cyclists increased their cycling compared to 44% existing cyclists. Benefits of and barriers to engagement varied according to group of need. Conclusions: Cycle provision schemes have potential to reduce health inequalities by encouraging cycling, particularly when tailored to need and local context, and when interventions are delivered by non-profit, community embedded organisations. Application: A novel intervention framework is proposed to guide targeted interventions.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Funding Information: This work was supported by Norfolk County Council from their Access Fund program, funded by the Department for Transport. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors. The funders had no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.
Uncontrolled Keywords: health inequalities,cycling,active travel,behavior change interventions,bike share,intervention,cycling,active travel,bike share,behaviour change intervention,public health, environmental and occupational health,safety, risk, reliability and quality,pollution,health policy,transportation,safety research ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2739
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Epidemiology and Public Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Services and Primary Care
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Public Health and Health Services Research (former - to 2023)
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Population Health
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Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 24 May 2022 14:59
Last Modified: 07 Dec 2024 01:34
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/85089
DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2022.101391

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