Quantifying the contribution of utility cycling to population levels of physical activity: An analysis of the Active People Survey

Active People Survey (APS) results were analysed to assess the likelihood of individuals meeting UK physical activity guidelines for those who reported utility cycling compared with those who did not. Those that undertook utility cycling were approximately four times more likely to meet Government physical activity guidelines than those who did not. The figures were even greater for utility cyclists in inner London. The pattern was consistent regardless of the number of activities through which people met the physical activity guideline. The paper concludes that utility cycling can make a significant contribution to levels of physical activity. The author suggests that as an activity that can easily integrate into everyday life, utility cycling appears to be a pragmatic policy option for public health decision-makers.