Official Statistics

Cycling traffic index: frequently asked questions

Updated 5 December 2024

Applies to England

This frequently asked questions document aims to answer questions about the cycling traffic index statistical release. Any additional queries should be directed to the team at active travel statistics.

Where can I find more information about active travel statistics? More information about active travel can be found on the walking and cycling statistics page.

Overview and purpose

What is the cycling traffic index series?

The cycling traffic index shows the change in cycling traffic levels in England compared to a 2013 baseline. This is a rolling annual index, allowing us to look at changes compared to previous months and years.

What is the purpose of the cycling traffic index?

The cycling traffic index series provides robust estimates designed for long-term trend analysis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary series of cycling estimates were developed at pace to monitor transport system usage. While useful for immediate needs, this series was not intended as a long-term data source. It primarily captured broad, highly variable changes in cycling traffic levels compared to a March 2020 baseline.

The current cycling traffic index was introduced in April 2023 to offer more timely insights and build a stronger evidence base for understanding cycling activity over time.

Where are the cycling traffic levels measured for the index?

The statistics that form the cycling traffic index are used to measure and assess changes in cycling traffic levels on or next to the road, providing insights into trends in cycling activity over time. The cycling traffic index is derived from data collected across England and is nationally representative of cycling traffic levels.

Comparison with other data sources

How does this differ from existing official statistics on cycling published by DfT?

Existing DfT statistics on active travel, are published annually and are estimated from sources including the National Travel Survey (NTS), Active Lives Survey (ALS), and DfT automatic and roadside manual traffic counts. The cycling traffic index is most similar in methodology to the quarterly estimates of traffic levels which are also estimated from DfT traffic count data. DfT traffic count data records traffic on roads by estimating the number of vehicle miles travelled by different vehicle types, including pedal cycles. This differs from the NTS and the ALS, which look primarily at trips taken by individuals using different modes of transport and the activity levels of adults, respectively.

Differences in methodologies between data sources mean that care should be taken not to make direct comparisons between different data series. All sources help us understand different aspects of trends in active travel. Whilst the cycling traffic index helps us look at trends in cycling traffic more frequently, the NTS and ALS allow us to look at elements such as the demographics of people who walk and cycle and local level breakdowns. Further details on the NTS, ALS, and traffic count data can be found in the walking and cycling background quality report and the road traffic estimates further information page.

How do these cycling estimates compare with the monthly statistics publication on daily domestic transport use by mode?

There are differences in data source, methodology and time period covered by the data. The cycling traffic index is estimated from Department for Transport (DfT) owned automatic traffic counter data and has higher levels of validation applied. It is also a rolling annual index, indexed against a 2013 baseline, allowing us to look at longer-term trends.

The monthly publication of the statistics daily domestic transport use by mode included estimates of cycling change for each day between 1 March 2020 and 7 April 2023. These statistics were produced using a combination of different data sources, including telecommunications data. To achieve a daily estimate of cycling change, lower levels of validation were applied.

The daily domestic transport use by mode series contained an index compared to the first week in March 2020, with data prior to March 2020 not available as part of this series.

Will the data published as part of the daily domestic transport use by mode still be available?

As of May 2023, the COVID-19 pandemic cycling series will no longer be updated as part of the daily domestic transport use by mode. The previously published data (up to 7 April 2023) will continue to be available, but no further update will be made to the cycling data. The cycling traffic index has been developed and has been published by the active travel statistics team. This index is available on the walking and cycling statistics page.

Can I compare the COVID-19 pandemic series to the new cycling traffic index?

Due to the different data sources used and methodology used, it is not recommended that both series are compared with each other.

Methodology and robustness

How have you produced the cycling traffic index statistics?

The cycling traffic index statistics are a rolling annual index, indexed to 2013. This means that the changes shown represent percentage changes from the cycling traffic level seen in 2013, allowing us to look at longer-term trends. The rolling annual index smooths out impacts from seasonality and weather, which cycling data is highly impacted by. This means it is easier to see other changes, such as the large increase in cycling during the pandemic.

How is this newer series more robust compared to the COVID-19 data series?

Cycling traffic levels in this index are based on DfT automatic traffic counters (ATCs), a data source that was created to estimate changes in traffic levels. DfT ATCs are based on a nationally representative sample of the road network in Great Britain and are subject to high levels of quality assurance and weighting, as expected of data compliant with the code of practice for statistics.

Cycling patterns are sensitive to seasonality and weather, with people historically being more likely to cycle in good weather. By moving to a rolling annual series, the methodology will better address these variations and allow us to consider changes in cycling beyond those caused by weather changes. Furthermore, the outputs of the series will be easier to interpret than the COVID-19 series, meaning there can be greater confidence in the data and analysis produced.

Why are the cycling traffic indices for the latest year listed as provisional? When will these be finalised?

The cycling traffic indices for the most recent year are published as provisional until data is constrained by the final annual estimates calculated each year. In addition to the data from the ATCs used to produce these statistics, the final indices make use of data from over 6,000 roadside manual traffic counts. Final annual statistics can estimate cycling traffic levels in regions and on specific road links, which cannot be produced from the provisional data. Final annual estimates for the latest year are often published in the following summer by DfT’s traffic statistics team.

Do cycling trends in London disproportionately impact the national trends in the cycling traffic index?

London is treated as a separate entity in the production of both the annual traffic estimates and the rolling cycling traffic index. Trends in London do not influence estimates for other regions, and vice versa, ensuring that the national trend is assessed separately and fairly. This separation ensures that regional differences in traffic patterns are not masked by London’s trends and provides a clear view of cycling traffic for England. The chart below shows annual cycling traffic estimates indexed to 2013 for London, England, and England excluding London. From this, we can see that cycling trends since 2013 have increased more in London than the rest of England, but the impact of trend in London on the national trend is small and proportionate.

Chart 1: Cycling traffic trends in London, England, and England excluding London (indexed to 2013) derived from TRA0403

This chart includes the activity of cyclists on public highways, and on cycle paths and footpaths adjacent to them. Cycle activity elsewhere (for example on canal towpaths, byways or bridleways) is not included.

Figures for 2020, 2021, and 2022 are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Take caution when interpreting these data and comparing them with other time periods.

Frequency and future updates

How frequently will these statistics be published?

From April 2023, these statistics will be published each quarter. Publication dates will be announced in advance on DfT’s statistics release calendar alongside other statistics published by DfT.

Will there be any further changes to the statistics?

The cycling traffic index data has been developed as a long-term solution to monitor cycling trends in England. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our outputs and better meet the needs of our users. Whilst we are not anticipating making any immediate changes to this series, there are a list of potential future developments that we would like to explore to assess their feasibility. These include the potential incorporation of more cycling counters to increase the sample size of data available, as well as a review of the stratification methodology used to produce the cycling estimates. If any changes to the methodology are made, they will be clearly documented, adhering to best practice guidance.

Historical and additional data

Do you have data for earlier years?

The series contains data from 2013 up until the year ending June 2024 (as of October 2024). Data for years prior to 2013 are not currently available. Annual pedal cycle traffic estimates are available in the TRA04 data series.

Can you produce similar statistics for walking?

Similar data for walking is not currently available. We will continue to review new data sources and assess the possibility of publishing further statistics on walking in the future.

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Contact details

Walking and cycling statistics

Email activetravel.stats@dft.gov.uk

Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

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