Stage 2: Data and evidence gathering, involvement and consultation

This section includes the results of the evidence gathering (including the framing exercise), including qualitative and quantitative data and the source of that information, whether national statistics, surveys or consultations with relevant equality groups.

The table below details comments in relation to existing evidence, sources, and potential areas for further research. The list is not exhaustive, and it is noted that for some protected characteristics there is limited Scottish specific data on participation and access to active travel. This highlights that further research and evidence would be beneficial in these areas.

Characteristic - Age

Evidence gathered and Strength / quality of evidence

There is evidence that age can be related to health and mobility, indicating a relationship between a decline in physical activity and poorer health with age.

Older people face barriers to either beginning to cycle, or to cycling more, including:

Safety concerns when sharing road space with motor vehicles.
Lack of seamless and dedicated cycle infrastructure to connect people to everyday destinations suitable for different types of cycles
Many older people who cycle only do so for leisure, as they can choose their own routes through parks or along familiar quiet roads. This means cycling to everyday destinations like work, school, the shops and community services is out of reach for them.

Action therefore for the guidance to focus on high quality cycling infrastructure that will be attractive to all potential cycle users, particularly new, returning or less confident users, to make cycling a practical and attractive choice for everyday and occasional journeys.

Source

Scottish Household Survey - Travel Diary and Survey relationship between bike ownership/access and age.
Scottish Health Survey - correlation between age and mobility and degenerative health.
Scottish Health Survey 2019 – the proportion of adults who assessed their general health to be 'good' or 'very good' decreased with age, the proportion of adults with long-term conditions increased with age, the proportion of adults meeting the moderate or vigorous physical activity guidelines declined with age.
Sustrans/Arup – Inclusive Cycling in Towns and Cities - June 2019. Two-thirds of older people do not cycle and do not want to cycle, although 15% would like to start cycling.

Data gaps identified and action taken

None so far.

Characteristic - Disability

Evidence gathered and Strength / quality of evidence

There is evidence that disabled people may be affected by the design guidance.

Increasing access to cycling for people with disabilities can result in increased participation in society, with positive health outcomes. Action therefore for the guidance to focus on high quality cycling infrastructure that will be attractive to all potential cycle users, including disabled cyclists.

During consultation when developing the guidance some disabled people and disabled people organisations raised concerns regarding perceived safety and driver behaviour around new active travel infrastructure.

Source

Consultation has been undertaken through the Roads for All Forum to consider impacts on disabled cyclists and disabled pedestrians as they interact with cycling infrastructure, with representation from MACS, Guide Dogs, RNIB, Spinal Injuries Scotland, Living Streets, Cycling UK and Cycling Without Age.
Scottish Household Survey - Travel Diary and Survey – low participation rate for cycling relating to users with disabilities.
TATIS – Hands Up Scotland Survey
Sustrans/Arup – Inclusive Cycling in Towns and Cities - June 2019. An estimated 84% of disabled people living in the UK’s biggest cities never cycle for local journeys, yet one third (33%) say they would like to start cycling.
Information from organisations working to improve access to cycles for people in Scotland with disabilities or who are wheelchair users:

Wheels for Wellbeing
Cycling UK
Manufacturers’ specifications for bicycles (https://www.ashfieldspecialneeds.co.uk)

Data gaps identified and action taken

There is the opportunity for more Scottish specific research, data and analysis of the experiences of pedestrians with disabilities as and when they interact with active travel infrastructure or when they use it as a mode of transport. Consultation with the Roads for All forum has identified specific areas of research to be taken forward (kerbing layouts, continuous footways, bus stop bypasses) with any findings incorporated in future updates of the guidance.

There is a need for targeted consultation to gather evidence and consider impacts for other stakeholder groups relating to this characteristic has been identified, in particular people with hearing loss, learning disabilities, dementia and other non-visible disabilities. These groups have different barriers to overcome and have different language and communication support needs. This will be taken forward to inform future updates of the guidance.

Previous guidance on the geometry of cycle facilities did not account for the types of cycles that disabled cyclists may use, information was sourced from suppliers to inform a wider range of cycles that can use infrastructure.

Characteristic - Sex

Evidence gathered and Strength / quality of evidence

There is evidence relating to the impact of physical infrastructure in relation to access for women and men.

In broad terms there are three interrelated issues:

Issues related to access;
Issues related to perception of personal and road safety; and
issues related to participation in terms of activity and representation in the sector.

These issues all have an impact on different health outcomes, mobility to access services etc.

There is evidence that women are less likely to cycle compared to men. Even though the percentage of people cycling may have increased, evidence suggested the gap between women and men continues to increase.

There is evidence that women and men’s travel patterns are different e.g. trip chaining and the purpose of the trip is different (pre COVID-19).

There is evidence relating to the difference in perceptions of personal safety and road safety.

Differences in diurnal and nocturnal travel patterns between men and women.
Design and road safety - road safety is a gendered issue. Expectations that you travel on current road network to trip chains, travel with children, etc.
Stated Preferences Research - “low-cycling countries seeking to increase cycling, this evidence suggests focusing on the stronger preferences of under-represented groups as a necessary element of universal design for cycling.”

There is evidence on underrepresentation of women in transport planning and engineering – those responsible for implementing cycling infrastructure.

There is evidence on different physical activity levels between women and men – with women less likely to meet recommended amount.

Source

Bike Life Inclusive City Cycling published in 2018: Women: reducing the gender gap contained a small sample for Scotland, draws on Bike Life Edinburgh and SHS. Differences in diurnal and nocturnal travel patterns between men and women. Participation – men twice as likely to cycle. Fewer women are likely to cycle at night compared to men.
Research published in 2018: Are we nearly there yet? Exploring gender and active travel. Focus on Glasgow – drawing on Household Travel Behaviour Survey and qualitative study exploring women in Glasgow’s experience of cycling and walking.

Related sources - drawing on research from England & Wales considers diversity & road safety and differences between sexes, see: Rachel Aldred, James Woodcock & Anna Goodman (2016) Does More Cycling Mean More Diversity in Cycling?, Transport Reviews, 36:1, 28-44, DOI: 10.1080/01441647.2015.1014451

Systematic review that focussed on stated preferences according to age and gender on segregated infrastructure, see Aldred, R., Elliott, B., Woodcock, J. and Goodman, A. 2017. Cycling provision separated from motor traffic: a systematic review exploring whether stated preferences vary by gender and age. Transport Reviews. 37 (1), pp. 29-55.

ONS - Standard occupational classification (SOC) and occupational segregation more broadly – horizontal and vertical. For example, only 20% of workers in Transport Sector are women – lower than EU average. Scottish Health Survey latest results 2019 show 10 percentage point difference between women and men meeting MVPA (Moderate or Vigorous Physical Activity Level) guidelines: Women (61%) Men (71%) Source: Scottish Health Survey 2019: summary report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Data gaps identified and action taken

Research on the impact of design on perceptions of personal safety and road safety.
Research on cycling and road safety to expose any sex specific differences.
Audit of application of sex and gender disaggregated data to inform practices regarding design, monitoring & evaluation for example.

Characteristic - Pregnancy and Maternity

Evidence gathered and Strength / quality of evidence

There is little evidence directly relating this characteristic to cycling infrastructure, but there are societal issues to consider more broadly.

Source

Not Available

Data gaps identified and action taken

Not Available

Characteristic - Gender Reassignment

Evidence gathered and Strength / quality of evidence

There is little evidence directly relating this characteristic to physical infrastructure, but there are societal issues to consider more broadly in the context of transgender identity.

Limited data on transgender people’s experience in relation to access and participation in Active Travel and the impact of infrastructure design. Some evidence on transphobia in sports.

Source

LEAP Sports and Equality Network have undertaken work on homophobia and transphobia in sports. This might have an indirect relationship to access to infrastructure and participation in cycling. Full study was published in 2012 and includes a specific report into transphobia in sport Out for Sport.

Data gaps identified and action taken

None so far.

Characteristic - Sexual Orientation

Evidence gathered and Strength / quality of evidence

There is limited evidence and data on sexual orientation in relation to access and participation in Active Travel.

LGBT health outcomes are poorer in relation to mental and physical health.

Limited evidence on personal safety and transport more broadly.

Limited evidence on LGBT representation in engineering and technical professions/sectors for example and likelihood of making decisions about infrastructure design

Source

LEAP Sports and Equality Network have undertaken work on homophobia and transphobia in sports. This might have an indirect relationship to access to infrastructure and participation in cycling. Study was published in 2012 Out-for-Sport-Report
SG’s Evidence Review published in 2013 referenced the EQIA for Scotland’s Cycling Strategy, stating - there was no information on the particular needs or experiences of LGBT groups regarding cycling, and adds that “we have no reason to believe that there are any particular issues to consider”. This review is 8 years old, and may not contain the most up-to-date research or analysis. Review of Equality Outcomes: LGBT Evidence Review 2013
From 2008 to 2011, respondents who identified as having an ‘other’ sexual orientation were significantly less likely to meet the physical activity guidelines than the national average (29% and 38% respectively).
Source: Active Scotland Outcomes: Indicator Equality Analysis (Published: November 2015) via SG Equality Evidence Finder
Some evidence on hate crime and ‘policing’ actions in public i.e. not holding partner’s hand. This is not likely to impact on cycling directly, but design and infrastructure might need to consider if there are particular issues with LGBT people and potential and patterns/choices of travel both diurnal and nocturnal.
Some UK Evidence on hate crime statistics and LGBT people’s experience:
National LGBT Survey: Summary report (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Evidence from Stonewall Scotland on LGBT people’s experiences in Scottish workplaces i.e. discrimination, not being out etc. Report published in 2018 - You Gov survey of 799 employers. LGBT in Scotland - Work Report Stonewall Scotland

Data gaps identified and action taken

No evidence on relationship between infrastructure design and the impact on sexual orientation. Number of data gaps.

limited evidence of representation in industry sectors e.g. engineering (some evidence of workplaces more broadly)
limited evidence on access and participation in Active Travel (some evidence on sport more broadly).
Limited evidence on personal safety specific to transport and travel

Require specific research study to explore travel behaviour and attitudes of LGBT people; if there are any barriers to participation, representation in the sector etc.

Characteristic - Race

Evidence gathered and Strength / quality of evidence

There is evidence relating to the impact of physical infrastructure in relation to access for different races.

In broad terms there are three interrelated issues:

Issues related to access
issues related to perception of personal and road safety
low rates of participation

Evidence that Black and Minority Ethnic people are less likely to cycle compared to white women and men.

Likely evidence on underrepresentation of black and minority ethnic people in transport planning and engineering skills and employment pipeline – those responsible for implementing cycling infrastructure.

There is evidence of poorer health outcomes for black and minority ethnic people, especially physical activity.

Source

SHS Travel Diary and Survey, but tend to be small data samples.
From 2008 to 2011, adults of Pakistani background (27%) were the least likely to achieve the recommended physical activity guidelines compared to the national average of 37%.
Source: Active Scotland Outcomes: Indicator Equality Analysis (Published: November 2015)

Data gaps identified and action taken

Limited evidence and need for more Scottish specific evidence in relation to active travel infrastructure and uptake.

Data gaps likely include:

bike ownership disaggregated by ethnicity
levels of participation in active travel
representation of black and minority ethnic people in related professions

Require specific research study to explore travel behaviour and attitudes of black and minority ethnic people e.g. low participation rates, barriers to participation, representation in the sector etc.

Characteristic - Religion or Belief

Evidence gathered and Strength / quality of evidence

No evidence of any issue that would be particular to interventions as a result of this guidance.

Source

Not Applicable.

Data gaps identified and action taken

Not Applicable.

Characteristic - Marriage and Civil Partnership

(the Scottish Government does not require assessment against this protected characteristic unless the policy or practice relates to work, for example HR policies and practices - refer to Definitions of Protected Characteristics document for details)

Evidence gathered and Strength / quality of evidence

Not Applicable.

Source

Not Applicable.

Data gaps identified and action taken

Not Applicable.

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