Boys are almost twice as likely to cycle regularly compared to girls of the same age, according to Sustrans' all-new Children's Walking and Cycling Index, published today.
While the active travel charity's biannual Walking and Cycling Index has helped to demonstrate trends in the UK adult population over the last decade, this new report aims to help us understand the behaviours, attitudes and barriers faced by children between the ages of 6 and 15.
"Children are all too often left out of the conversation when it comes to policy making and investment decisions. They are too young to vote, ignored in research and left out of consultations and engagement exercises," Sustrans says.
The cycling gender gap starts early
We already know there's a sizeable gender gap when it comes to cycling in the UK, with the 2023 Walking and Cycling Index revealing 21 per cent of men cycle at least once a week, compared to only 10 per cent of women.
But the new Children's Walking and Cycling Index reveals a staggering difference in childhood, with 28 per cent of boys cycling at least five times in the last week, compared to 17 per cent of girls.
That gap is compounded by the figures for the proportion of children who see themselves as someone who often cycles, with 17 per cent of boys and only 8 per cent of girls.
These differences are minimised when other methods of active transport are combined (walking, or using a wheelchair or scooter). A total of 63 per cent of boys and 61 per cent of girls reported having used these methods of transport at least five times in the previous week.
When asked whether they think their local area is a good place to cycle, 72 per cent of boys and 66 per cent of girls said it is.
We recently heard from active travel expert Laura Laker about women's safety concerns while cycling. We – as a cycling community – talk a lot about how we can eliminate the barriers preventing more women cycling, but does the issue really lie much earlier in life?
Children want to cycle more
Gender differences aside, the encouraging news is that children are keen to ride, with 51 per cent of respondents reporting they would like to cycle more, compared to 33 per cent wanting to walk or wheel more, 28 per cent wanting to take public transport more, and 26 per cent wanting to be driven more.
81 per cent of children area also in support of more traffic-free paths, and quiet routes for walking and cycling, 78 per cent wanted more cycle paths along roads separated from cars, and 70 per cent support reducing the speed of cars.
About the Children's Walking and Cycling Index
1,089 children were surveyed in May 2024 as part of YouGov’s Children and Parents Omnibus Survey, designed to be representative of the UK population.
This factored in age, ethnicity, gender, school level, disability and socio-economic group.
The Children's Walking and Cycling Index is due to be published every other year, with the next report in 2027.
