travel attitude survey (word) · web viewthe survey results probably raise more questions than...

Travel Attitude Survey

A study of commuting travel choices.Derbyshire Pride 2012

Travel Attitude Survey - Derbyshire Pride 2012


IntroductionDerbyshire Pride is an annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community event held in the City of Derby at the Bass Recreation ground, attended by potentially up to 8500 people.(1)

According to research by gay market research company Out Now Consulting, homosexual men and women earned upwards of £81bn in 2007. While a separate survey by OMD Insight found that 40% of gay people surveyed invested heavily in new technology, compared with 25% of heterosexuals and that gay consumers took an average of four flights a year compared to the straight person's three. (2)

Research by Stonewall suggests 76% of gay and bisexual men said their health is good or very good compared to 82% of men in general. One in four (24%) gay and bisexual men report being in fair or bad health compared to one in six (17%) men in general. (3)

Just a quarter (25%) of gay and bisexual men meet recommendations for 30 minutes or more of exercise five times or more per week compared to 39% of men in general.Meanwhile Stonewall’s Prescription for Change survey found lesbian and bisexual women are no more likely to be overweight or obese than women in general. Half of their respondents had a normal BMI, a quarter were overweight and a further fifth were obese. This is comparable with data for women in general, although it is also noted that obesity among women & men is of national concern. (4)

Taking into account the findings above, Derbyshire County Council’s sustainable travel plan team attended the Pride event on 22 September 2012 to undertake a travel survey. This was to test the hypotheses as to whether there is any evidence to suggest the LGB community may be:

1. less sustainable travel orientated (perhaps due to being able to afford cars/foreign travel) or alternatively are they more inclined to invest in more sustainable alternatives;

2. more or less receptive to the idea of active travel and the benefits this might bring in terms of health.

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SummaryA travel survey was undertaken with 158 attendees at Derbyshire Pride.

39% of those surveyed live in the city council area of Derby.34% were Derbyshire residents – with the remainder living outside Derbyshire.

30% of those surveyed live, work or study in Derby. 27% work or study in Derbyshire.

53% of those attending said they were lesbian, bisexual or gay. (LGB)32% said they were heterosexual (straight).

36% of the attending Derbyshire Pride were in the 16-24 age bracket. 41% were aged 25-65.

Those surveyed indicated that walking and travelling by bus were the most common ways to travel to work or study, followed by single car occupancy.

39% of those answering the survey own a car.Car ownership increases with age with 19% of 16-24 year olds owning a car compared to 70% of those aged over 25.23% of LGB respondents aged 16-24 own a car compared to 13% of straight respondents.A higher proportion of gay men (33%) age 16-24 own a car compared to gay women (13%)

44% of those surveyed owned a bicycle.Bicycle ownership does not appear to decrease with increasing car ownership.49% of LGB respondents aged 16-24 own a bike compared to 56% of straight respondents.A higher proportion of gay women (63%) age 16-24 own a bike compared to gay men. (33%)

Almost two thirds of respondents work or study within less than 5 miles of where they live.37% of LGB respondents travelled actively (walk or cycle) on journeys less than 5 miles compared to 46% of straight respondents.A higher proportion (48%) of LGB 16-24 year olds travel 5 miles or less by bus compared to their heterosexual counterparts (18%), whereas 45% of straight 16-24 year olds walk this journey compared to 28% for LGB respondents.

The most commonly cited reason for using a chosen mode of travel to work or study was that it is quick and convenient.

More frequent and reliable transport and discounted tickets were the most given suggestions as to what would encourage people to change their mode of travel. 20% of straight respondents said nothing would persuade them to walk, cycle or use public transport more often, compared to 8% of LGB respondents.

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The survey findings suggest there could be benefit in promoting cycling and discount tickets for public transport at future Pride events.

FindingsThe results of 158 surveys were analysed. Figures are presented as percentages and are rounded to the nearest whole number.

Age and orientation profile

orientation

ageBisexual Gay

manLesbian Straight Other Prefer not to

say

16-24 9% 8% 5% 10% 3% 1% 36%25-34 2% 3% 3% 6% 1% 15%35-44 2% 3% 5% 2% 11%45-54 1% 3% 4% 1% 9%55-64 1% 1% 2% 1% 5%65+ 1% 1% 1%no age given 2% 1% 4% 5% 1% 5% 22%

13% 20% 19% 32% 4% 11%

53% of respondents indicated they were LGB.36% were in the age group 16-24 years old.This needs to be considered when further interpreting the survey results as, being a University city, it is possible many of these young people are likely to have been students, which in turn may effect or skew travel patterns and travel options.

Place of residence and work/study145 respondents indicated they were employed or in education.

Place of residenceAmber Valley

Chesterfield Derby City Derbyshire

Dales Erewash South Derbyshire

Outside Derbyshire

Plac

e of

wor

k/st

udy

Amber Valley 3% 1% 1% 1% 6%

Chesterfield 1% 2% 3%

Derby City 2% 30% 1% 1% 1% 3% 37%Derbyshire

Dales 2% 2% 4% 1% 9%Erewash 4% 1% 4%

High Peak 1% 1% 1%South

Derbyshire 1% 1% 3% 4%Outside

Derbyshire 1% 4% 1% 1% 1% 21% 28%Do not work or study

1% 3% 1% 1% 3% 8%10% 4% 39% 7% 7% 6% 27%

39% of those surveyed live in Derby City

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34% live in Derbyshire37% of those surveyed work or study in Derby City27% of those surveyed work or study in Derbyshire30% live and work/study in Derby City21% live and work/study outside Derbyshire

Distance travelled and mode usedThe following table compares how far respondents travel to their place of work or study and by what mode.

Distance travelledLess 1 mile

1 to 5 miles

6-10 miles 11-15 miles

> 15 miles

walk 11% 13% 2% 26%bicycle 4% 1% 1% 6%motorbike 1% 1% 1%

drive alone 4% 8% 5% 2% 5% 23%

drive with passenger

1% 2% 1% 2% 5%

passenger 1% 5% 1% 1% 7%

train 1% 1% 2%bus 1% 15% 5% 3% 5% 28%

17% 48% 15% 5% 16%

Walking, public transport and lone car occupancy are the most used modes of travel.65% of respondents who are in employment or education travel less than 5 miles to their place of work or study.

Comparison of travel mode by orientation, distance and age.Journeys to work or study which are 5 miles or less are generally considered as suited to active modes of travel – i.e cycling or walking.The table shows mode of travel used for journeys of less than 5 miles.

walk bicycle drive alone

drive with

passenger

passenger bus active

travel

LGB 33% 4% 18% 6% 6% 33% 37%LGB16-24 28% 8% 8% 8% 48% 28%LGB25+ 41% 12% 29% 6% 12% 53%straight 39% 6% 19% 3% 13% 19% 45%straig 45% 9% 9% 18% 18% 45%

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ht16-25straight25+

31% 15% 31% 15% 8% 46%

38% of LGB respondents travelled actively (walk or cycle) on journeys less than 5 miles compared to 45% of straight respondents.A higher proportion (48%) of LGB 16-24 year olds travel 5 miles or less by bus compared to their heterosexual counterparts (18%), whereas 45% of straight 16-24 year olds walk this journey compared to 28% for LGB respondents.

On journeys over 5 miles there is a higher proportion of car use, accounted for by those over 25 years old. 90% of straight respondents age 25 and over who travel more than 5 miles to work or study, do so by driving alone compared to 43% for LGB.

Reasons for choice of travel

The most commonly cited reason for using a chosen mode of travel to work or study was that it is quick, cheap and convenient.A greater proportion of LGB respondents cited the health benefits as influencing their mode of travel – relating this mostly to walking journeys.

The most commonly cited reason for using a chosen mode of travel to work or study was that it is quick and convenient.

Encouraging walking, cycling and the use of public transport

5

% re

spon

se%

resp

onse


A greater proportion of LGB respondents would be encouraged to travel by cycling or public transport if cycle routes were improved and discount tickets were available.A greater proportion of straight respondents say that nothing would encourage them to travel by walking, cycling or using public transport.

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Car and bicycle ownership39% of respondents own a car and 44% own a bicycle.

Cycle & car ownership by age

Car ownership increases with age with 19% of 16-24 year olds owning a car compared to an average 70% ownership of those aged over 25.Bicycle ownership does not appear to decrease with increasing car ownership.

Cycle and car ownership by age and orientation

Bisexual Gay man Lesbian Straight% who own a bicycle 48% 34% 50% 49%% of 16-24 who own a bicycle 53% 33% 63% 56%% of 25+ who own a bicycle 67% 33% 56% 59%

% who own a car 42% 47% 50% 43%% of 16-24 who own a car 20% 33% 13% 13%% of 25+ who own a car 33% 75% 81% 70%

Cycle ownership is lowest among gay men (34%)23% of LGB respondents aged 16-24 own a car compared to 13% of straight respondents.A higher proportion of gay men (33%) age 16-24 own a car compared to gay women (13%)49% of LGB respondents aged 16-24 own a bike compared to 56% of straight respondents.A higher proportion of gay women (63%) age 16-24 own a bike compared to gay men. (33%)

7

% o

wner

ship


Car makeNone of the respondents said they owned a hybrid or electric car.

Car make by orientation

Vauxhall appears to be the make of choice among straight car owners, compared to Ford for LGB car owners.

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ConclusionsThe survey results probably raise more questions than answers.Consideration needs to be given to the fact that those surveyed may not be representative of the LGB community as a whole given the age cohort of attendees who responded and the fact it only consulted with those members of the community choosing to attend a Pride event. Similarly the findings may not be conclusive given the small sample size.

Nevertheless the following points may be worthy of further investigation and action:

1. There is some evidence to suggest LGB people are less likely to walk or cycle journeys less than 5 miles. However this seems to be accounted for by a higher proportion of young LGB people who choose to travel by bus.If the cohort questioned were mainly students, the subsidised bus which serves the University may account for this. However why a greater proportion of LGB young people use this compared to their straight counterparts is unclear.

Could young LGB people feel more vulnerable walking this journey and therefore choose to travel by bus?Personal safety concerns were not raised by LGB respondents in the survey – but this issue could be investigated further.

ActionA greater proportion of LGB respondents said discounted tickets would encourage further use of public transport. Many discount schemes are already in existence and future Pride events could prove an ideal opportunity to promote these to a community who are already receptive to using public transport.Consideration also needs to be given to the extent of the potential student population and further surveys would benefit from distinguishing between those in education and those in employment.

2. Research by Sustrans (5) shows that nearly half of all women (44%) have access to a bike but three quarters of women do not cycle at all.The research also shows a gender divide over cycling - around 8% of men cycle every day compared to just 1% of women.The Pride travel survey shows 50% of gay women own a bicycle whereas only 33% gay men appear own a bicycle. While cycle ownership is higher among lesbian, bisexual and straight respondents this does not correspond to a greater proportion of cycle use a mode of travel to work.That said walking to work/place of study does appear to be undertaken on the basis that it is considered a healthy pursuit.

Is cycling considered more of a leisure pursuit rather than a mode of travel to work?Is the view and portrayal of cycling less appealing to gay men?

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Would the ‘Cycle Chic’ imagery, traditionally used to promote cycling to women, be equally an appealing approach to promote cycling to gay men?Or is it that gay men who like cycling don’t attend Pride events?Does the request for more improved cycle routes (made mostly by lesbian and bisexual respondents) point to an opportunity to increase cycling to work?

ActionFuture Pride events could provide an opportunity to provide information on existing cycle routes and to promote a positive image of cycling as a means of healthy travel to work in Derbyshire.Include the portrayal of same sex couples and families in literature promoting Derbyshire countryside events, cycling activities and sustainable travel.Use the council’s existing social media platforms to make network links with organisations such as www.dobs.org.uk and www.outdoorlads.com

3. There does not appear to be an discernable difference between LGB & the straight community with regard to car ownership, other than it appears a greater proportion of young gay men appear to own a car compared to gay women or straight 16-24 year olds. Car ownership may be more influenced by gender than orientation in that men may become car owners at a younger age than women if the assumption is made that straight 16-24 years surveyed were mostly straight women. Since the survey did not collect data on gender, this can not be determined.

ActionFuture surveys could collect data on gender. This being the case, consideration would need to be made as to the phrasing of the question with respect to the transgender community.

4. While 34% of those surveyed where from Derbyshire, very few were from Chesterfield, and there were no responses given from residents from Bolsover, North East Derbyshire or the High Peak.Pride events also take place in Sheffield, Manchester and Nottingham.

ActionWorking in partnership with neighbouring local authorities could be an opportunity to replicate this type of study to see if it captures the views of other Derbyshire residents and if results are comparable to this survey.

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references

(1) www.midlandszone.co.uk/news.asp?thisId=2280&thisName=Get-ready-for-Derbyshire-Pride&newsindx=Local-News&idxid=3

(2) www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/apr/25/pink-pound-gay-couples-parents

(3) www.healthylives.stonewall.org.uk/includes/documents/cm_docs/2012/g/gay-and-bisexual-mens-health-suvey.pdf

(4) www.stonewall.org.uk/documents/prescription_for_change_1.pdf

(5) www.edinburghbicycle.com/comms/site_news/cycling-news-index/women-bikes-accessibility.htm?f_Cardinal=4

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complied by Derbyshire County Council

sustainable travel teamEnvironmental Services

County Hall, Matlock, DE4 3AG

For further information contact:Rob Bounds

senior transport officer

[email protected] 538056

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/comms/site_news/cycling-news-index/women-bikes-accessibility.htm?f_Cardinal=4

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/comms/site_news/cycling-news-index/women-bikes-accessibility.htm?f_Cardinal=4

http://www.stonewall.org.uk/documents/prescription_for_change_1.pdf

http://www.healthylives.stonewall.org.uk/includes/documents/cm_docs/2012/g/gay-and-bisexual-mens-health-suvey.pdf

http://www.healthylives.stonewall.org.uk/includes/documents/cm_docs/2012/g/gay-and-bisexual-mens-health-suvey.pdf

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/apr/25/pink-pound-gay-couples-parents

http://www.midlandszone.co.uk/news.asp?thisId=2280&thisName=Get-ready-for-Derbyshire-Pride&newsindx=Local-News&idxid=3

http://www.midlandszone.co.uk/news.asp?thisId=2280&thisName=Get-ready-for-Derbyshire-Pride&newsindx=Local-News&idxid=3

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