Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2014 | Brief Report
Differences in the social patterning of active travel between urban and rural populations: findings from a large UK household survey
Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 6/2014
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Objectives
To determine the social patterning of active travel of short journeys for urban and rural residents in a large UK representative sample.
Methods
Associations between frequently walking or cycling short journeys and socio-demographic factors in the UK Household Longitudinal Study were determined using logistic regression.
Results
Urban residents were 64 % more likely to frequently engage in active travel than rural residents (95 % CI 1.52, 1.77). Being younger, male, without full-time employment and having a lower income independently predicted greater active travel for both urban and rural residents. Degree level education and not having children were independent predictors for urban, but not rural residents.
Conclusions
Actively travelling short journeys is less common and independently associated with fewer socio-demographic factors in rural than in urban populations.