Official Statistics

Physical activity data tool: statistical commentary, November 2020

Published 3 November 2020

Applies to England

New in this update

New active travel data for 2018 to 2019 has been added to the Physical Activity tool on the Fingertips platform. The following indicators have been updated and are available at local authority level, as well as for England, the regions and various inequality groups:

• percentage of adults walking for travel at least 3 days a week

• percentage of adults cycling for travel at least 3 days a week

Summary of updated indicators

Walking for travel

This update shows:

• between 2015 to 2016 (22.7%) and 2018 to 2019 (22.7%), the percentage of adults walking for travel at least 3 days a week has remained at a similar level
• in 2018 to 2019, estimates of the percentage of adults walking for travel at least 3 days a week among local authority districts and unitary authorities in England ranged from 10.3% (South Holland) to 47.8% (Lewisham)
• males remained more likely to report walking for travel at least 3 days a week than females (23.7% and 21.7% respectively)
• the percentage of adults reporting that they walked for travel at least 3 days a week showed a decrease with age, from 42.3% among 16- to 24-year-olds to 6.9% among those aged 85 and over
• when looking at different ethnic groups, those who identified as a Mixed ethnic group were most likely to walk for travel (36.0%), and those who identified as White British were the least likely (21.6%)
• the percentage of people with a disability walking for travel remained lower than those without a disability (16.9% and 24.6% respectively in 2018 to 2019)
• students were most likely to walk for travel at least 3 days a week (46.8%) and those who were self-employed or classified as ‘other’ were the least likely (16.5% and 15.8% respectively)

Cycling for travel

This update shows:

• between 2015 to 2016 (3.3%) and 2018 to 2019 (3.1%), the percentage of adults cycling for travel at least 3 days a week has remained at a similar level
• in 2018 to 2019, estimates of the percentage of adults cycling for travel at least 3 days a week among local authority districts and unitary authorities in England ranged from 0% in Burnley, Hyndburn and Cannock Chase to 34.6% in Cambridge
• males remain more likely to report cycling for travel at least 3 days a week than females (4.7% and 1.6% respectively)
• as with walking, the percentage of adults reporting that they cycled for travel at least 3 days a week showed a decrease with age, from 4.4% among 16- to 24-year-olds to 0.2% among those aged 85 and over
• when looking at different ethnic groups, those who identified as White Other (excludes White British) were most likely to cycle for travel (5.8%), and those who identified as Asian were the least likely (1.8%)
• the percentage of people with a disability that cycled for travel remained lower than those without a disability (1.7% and 3.8% respectively)
• students (5.2%) were most likely to cycle for travel and those who were long-term unemployed or have never worked were the least likely (1.6%)

Background and further information

This statistical commentary summarises a new data point for 2 active travel indicators available in the Physical Activity tool. These indicators have been developed to support national and local monitoring of sustainable travel and to monitor levels of physical activity through walking and cycling in line with the 2017 Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.

The release presents data from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Walking and Cycling statistics for England, collated from analysis of Active Lives Adult Survey (ALAS) data collected between mid-November 2018 and mid-November 2019, using either an online or paper self-report questionnaire. The findings presented are for individuals aged 16 and over. For more statistics and information on walking and cycling, including methodology and other walking and cycling frequencies, see the DfT’s Walking and Cycling Statistics for England. Further details of how the indicators have been calculated are also available from the ‘Definitions’ tab within each indicator (walking; cycling) in the Physical Activity tool.

Data for the 2 active travel indicators are available for England at national, regional, county and district geographies. Additional data are also available at England level for ethnicity, disability, age, sex and socioeconomic class. Full details can be found in the ‘Inequalities’ tab within each indicator (walking; cycling).

Physical Activity tool

The Physical Activity tool brings together data on physical activity at local level for England. It includes physical activity data, including walking and cycling, as well as information on related risk factors and conditions such as obesity and diabetes. The aim of the tool is to help local areas monitor the health of their local population, support needs assessment, local planning and commissioning of infrastructure and services that encourage and support people to be physically active.

Responsible statistician, product lead: Craig Timpson and Eva Mitchell

For queries relating to this document, please contact: ProfileFeedback@phe.gov.uk