Official Statistics

Physical activity data tool: statistical commentary, November 2021

Published 2 November 2021

Applies to England

New in this update

New active travel data for mid-November 2019 to mid-November 2020 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 per week
• percentage of adults cycling for travel at least 3 days per week

These statistics cover data collected between March and November 2020 where the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is likely to have had a large impact on trends in walking and cycling for travel, as people were instructed to work from home where possible.

This period also saw several travel restrictions put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic. This significantly impacted travel patterns across the country, with effects differing by area depending on the level of local restrictions in place.

Summary of updated indicators

Walking for travel

This update shows:

• in 2019 to 2020 the percentage of adults in England walking for travel at least 3 days per week decreased to 15.1% from 22.7% in 2018 to 2019
• nearly all local authorities reported a decrease in walking for travel compared to previous years
• in 2019 to 2020, estimates of the percentage of adults walking for travel at least 3 days per week among local authority districts and unitary authorities in England ranged from 6.5% (Redditch) to 33.4% (Brighton and Hove)
• all population subgroups reported a decrease in the percentage of adults walking for travel at least 3 days per week in 2019 to 2020
• males remained more likely to report walking for travel at least 3 days per week than females (16.2% and 14.1% respectively)
• the percentage of adults reporting that they walked for travel at least 3 days per week showed a decrease with age, from 27.2% among 16 to 24-year-olds to 3.0% 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 (22.9%), and those who identified themselves as White British or as Asian were the least likely (14.7% and 14.8% respectively)
• the percentage of people with a disability walking for travel remained lower than those without a disability (11.1% and 16.5% respectively in 2019 to 2020)
• students were most likely to walk for travel at least 3 days per week (30.5%) and those who were self-employed or classified as ‘other’ were the least likely (12.0% and 11.9% respectively)

Cycling for travel

This update shows:

• in 2019 to 2020 the percentage of adults in England cycling for travel at least 3 days a week decreased to 2.3% from 3.1% in 2018 to 2019
• in 2019 to 2020, 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 County Durham, Gravesham, Kettering, North East Derbyshire and Rotherham to 20.9% in Cambridge
• males remained more likely to report cycling for travel at least 3 days per week than females (3.5% and 1.2% respectively)
• the percentage of adults reporting that they cycled for travel at least 3 days a week were similar between those aged 16 to 54 years, with lower levels reported among those aged 65 and over
• when looking at different ethnic groups, those who identified themselves as White Other (excludes White British) were most likely to cycle for travel (4.4%), and those who identified themselves as Black were the least likely (1.0%)
• the percentage of people with a disability that cycled for travel remained lower than those without a disability (1.2% and 2.8% respectively)
• students (3.6%) and those in lower supervisory and technical occupations (3.5%) were most likely to cycle for travel and those who were long term unemployed or have never worked were the least likely (1.2%)

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 2019 and mid-November 2020, 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.

For more information on walking and cycling in England in 2020 and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic see the DfT’s statistical release The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on walking and cycling statistics, England: 2020.

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). 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.

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

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