A groundbreaking report on young people’s active travel in the UK has found that boys are almost twice as likely as girls to cycle regularly. The study, conducted by the charity Sustrans, also highlighted strong support among children for initiatives that promote cycling and walking, such as dedicated bike lanes, slower traffic, and restrictions on motor vehicles near schools.
A nationwide survey of children aged six to 15 revealed that 23% had cycled at least five times in the previous week. However, when analyzed by gender, 28% of boys reported cycling frequently compared to just 17% of girls. When asked if they considered themselves regular cyclists, 17% of boys agreed, while only 8% of girls said the same.
The findings come amid growing concerns over children’s physical activity levels. Recent studies indicate that more than half of children and young people in England do not meet recommended exercise guidelines, posing long-term health risks. Girls, particularly teenagers, were found to be less active than boys.
Despite the gender gap in cycling, the report—titled Children’s Walking and Cycling Index—showed a more encouraging picture for other forms of active travel. In the previous week, 86% of children had walked, used a scooter, or engaged in other non-motorized travel, with 62% doing so at least five times. The gender disparity was minimal in this category, with 61% of girls and 63% of boys participating, and little difference observed between primary and secondary school students.
The report emphasized the importance of addressing the cycling gap, noting that while all active travel benefits long-term health, cycling has been shown to have particularly strong positive effects compared to walking.
Lily, a secondary school student from Swansea, shared that she used to cycle in her neighborhood but stopped because “it’s not really seen as cool, and we can be quite self-conscious about that.” She also pointed out that much of the cycling gear available is designed for men rather than women.
Despite these challenges, many children expressed a desire to cycle more. Among those surveyed, 51% wanted to cycle more often, with 78% supporting more separated bike lanes, 81% favoring quieter cycling routes, 70% advocating for lower traffic speeds, and 66% backing street closures near schools during drop-off and pickup times.
Rachel Toms of Sustrans emphasized that children are eager to cycle and expect leaders to address the barriers preventing them. She urged local and national policymakers to invest in safer, traffic-free cycling routes to encourage more children to ride bikes and enjoy the associated health and lifestyle benefits.
At the report’s launch event, Chris Boardman, head of the government’s Active Travel England, stressed the urgency of action. He noted that by 2030, physical activity levels are projected to be 35% lower than in the 1960s and pointed out that nearly 9 billion more miles are being driven around homes today compared to a decade ago, reducing space for alternative transport options.
Boardman also highlighted the need for a shift in perspective. While parents may resist removing parking spaces, he suggested that when asked whether they want their children to have transport independence and the freedom to stay for after-school activities, they are more likely to support changes that enable safer and more accessible cycling.
