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Cycling and cycling cessation in later life : Findings from the city of Malmö

Ryan, Jean LU ; Svensson, Helena LU ; Rosenkvist, Jenny LU ; Schmidt, Steven LU orcid and Wretstrand, Anders LU orcid (2016) In Journal of Transport & Health 3(1). p.38-47
Abstract

This study aims to gain a greater insight into cycling as an element of mobility among those in later life. The characteristics and views of those who cycle, those who have never cycled, as well as those who have discontinued cycling in later life are the main focus. Malmö, a city in the south of Sweden with a strong emphasis on bicycle planning, is the study area. This study employed a mixed methods approach. The quantitative element comprised a survey which aimed to capture the trends at play when it comes to cycling within this age group. The qualitative element encompassed two focus groups which were carried out in order to gain a deeper insight into older persons' perspectives and perceptions with respect to cycling. The... (More)

This study aims to gain a greater insight into cycling as an element of mobility among those in later life. The characteristics and views of those who cycle, those who have never cycled, as well as those who have discontinued cycling in later life are the main focus. Malmö, a city in the south of Sweden with a strong emphasis on bicycle planning, is the study area. This study employed a mixed methods approach. The quantitative element comprised a survey which aimed to capture the trends at play when it comes to cycling within this age group. The qualitative element encompassed two focus groups which were carried out in order to gain a deeper insight into older persons' perspectives and perceptions with respect to cycling. The study[U+05F3]s findings illustrate the very positive and important role cycling can play in the mobility of older persons in the city of Malmö. It is not only possible but also mostly enjoyable for many older people to cycle. Cycling is a facilitator of activities and is largely associated with convenience and ease. There are clear differences between cyclists and non-cyclists, with the former generally having a wider range of mobility opportunities available to them. Cycling cessation is anticipated as a very distressing, yet inevitable, life event by those who still cycle. The results of this study suggest that campaigns aimed at increasing the awareness and consideration of other road users towards older cyclists, as well as the introduction of clearer and more visible signage could support older cyclists in prolonging their cycling, as well as improving the experience they have as they do cycle. Increasing awareness of the health benefits of cycling could be another means of encouraging people to continue cycling as they age.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Cycling, Cycling cessation, Health, Mobility, Older persons, Urban transport
in
Journal of Transport & Health
volume
3
issue
1
pages
10 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:84965108212
  • wos:000376050100007
ISSN
2214-1405
DOI
10.1016/j.jth.2016.01.002
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
5f199aa1-05b0-46e1-8a57-3e19b8237f2a
date added to LUP
2016-05-19 05:21:42
date last changed
2024-01-04 03:52:53
@article{5f199aa1-05b0-46e1-8a57-3e19b8237f2a,
  abstract     = {{<p>This study aims to gain a greater insight into cycling as an element of mobility among those in later life. The characteristics and views of those who cycle, those who have never cycled, as well as those who have discontinued cycling in later life are the main focus. Malmö, a city in the south of Sweden with a strong emphasis on bicycle planning, is the study area. This study employed a mixed methods approach. The quantitative element comprised a survey which aimed to capture the trends at play when it comes to cycling within this age group. The qualitative element encompassed two focus groups which were carried out in order to gain a deeper insight into older persons' perspectives and perceptions with respect to cycling. The study[U+05F3]s findings illustrate the very positive and important role cycling can play in the mobility of older persons in the city of Malmö. It is not only possible but also mostly enjoyable for many older people to cycle. Cycling is a facilitator of activities and is largely associated with convenience and ease. There are clear differences between cyclists and non-cyclists, with the former generally having a wider range of mobility opportunities available to them. Cycling cessation is anticipated as a very distressing, yet inevitable, life event by those who still cycle. The results of this study suggest that campaigns aimed at increasing the awareness and consideration of other road users towards older cyclists, as well as the introduction of clearer and more visible signage could support older cyclists in prolonging their cycling, as well as improving the experience they have as they do cycle. Increasing awareness of the health benefits of cycling could be another means of encouraging people to continue cycling as they age.</p>}},
  author       = {{Ryan, Jean and Svensson, Helena and Rosenkvist, Jenny and Schmidt, Steven and Wretstrand, Anders}},
  issn         = {{2214-1405}},
  keywords     = {{Cycling; Cycling cessation; Health; Mobility; Older persons; Urban transport}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{03}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{38--47}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Journal of Transport & Health}},
  title        = {{Cycling and cycling cessation in later life : Findings from the city of Malmö}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2016.01.002}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.jth.2016.01.002}},
  volume       = {{3}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}