A QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF ATTITUDES TO CYCLING IN THE UK

This paper presents the findings of a study of attitudes to cycling in the UK commissioned by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) on behalf of the Department of Transport. Set in the context of the Government's Cycling Policy Statement of June 1994 and the more recent announcement of a National Cycling Strategy, the research objectives were to assess current attitudes to cycling and to identify methods of encouraging increased bicycle use. Bicycles are increasingly being seen by the Government as part of the local transport solution, having a central role to play in addressing issues such as pollution, congestion and health. On behalf of the TRL, Accent Marketing and Research carried out qualitative in-depth interviews and thirteen group discussions, including two extended creativity sessions. These were conducted in five towns across the UK with cyclists and non cyclists of varying ages and socio-economic backgrounds. The research of both cyclists' and car drivers' attitudes revealed that one of the main barriers to cycling is not the lack of attraction of cycling per se but the very strong hold that the car has on the way people live their lives today. Other barriers included the danger posed by large volumes of traffic travelling at speed, fears for personal safety and the threat of theft. Potential push and pull strategies to encourage cycling were investigated in detail to establish which were considered most likely to effect a genuine uptake in cycling. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 889150.