Twice as many men than women cycle on Tyneside and white people are far more likely to walk regularly than ethnic minorities, a new study has revealed.
A major report from charity Sustrans and local councils has exposed major disparities in different groups’ access to active forms of travel in Newcastle, Gateshead, and North Tyneside. According to the Walking and Cycling Index for Tyneside, 22% of men in the area cycle once a week compared to just 10% of women.
And just 29% of people from ethnic minorities walk at least five days a week, a figure that has dropped 10% since 2019 and is far lower than the 51% of white people who walk that often. The proportion of ethnic minority people on Tyneside who cycle has also fallen from 22% to 12% since 2019, while for white people this has jumped from 14% to 16%.
The report adds that a third of people from ethnic minorities, 27% of women, and a quarter of disabled people say they would like to cycle but don’t. Rosslyn Colderley, Sustrans’ director for the North of England, has called for safety upgrades to unleash the “huge untapped potential to help more residents choose these healthier, more environmentally-friendly forms of transport”.
She said: “The report shows us that if streets in all areas where people live had less traffic and were safer and greener, more residents in all groups would choose to walk, wheel or cycle their journeys. Residents strongly support 20 minute neighbourhoods, in which shops and services are within a 20 minute return trip of where they live, as well as low traffic neighbourhoods.
“They say that less cars parked on pavements, safer crossing points and more parks and green spaces would all help them to walk and wheel more. Residents welcome developments in active travel throughout the region and are keen to invest more public funds to make it more widely accessible for everyone.”
Sustrans’ report was compiled after a survey of 1,264 residents aged 16 or above on Tyneside. While 68% of people felt welcome and comfortable walking and using a wheelchair or mobility scooter in their neighbourhood, only 57% believe the level of safety is good for children who are walking and just 35% for children cycling.
Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon said: “This important report shows us where we are now, as well as identifying the barriers that still exist. We want to live in a region where active travel forms more of our everyday journeys. The results from this report give us additional evidence to put our plans into practice.
“The report also shows us that more needs to be done – 27% of women said they do not cycle but would like to; whilst 51% of white people walk at least five days a week compared to 29% of people from ethnic minority groups. We need to ensure representation in travel choices is as inclusive as possible.”
