Building a bridge, transport infrastructure and population characteristics: Explaining active travel into Glasgow

BackgroundIt is widely agreed that walking and cycling are good for individual and public health. There is a lack of evidence about what works to promote active travel. This paper aimed to explain the variation in active travel into Glasgow, a post industrial city in the West of Scotland.MethodsCensus travel data from 2001 and data from a cordon count performed over 2 day in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 were used to estimate the number of pedestrians and cyclists entering and leaving the City centre from four City sectors.ResultsIn 2001, pedestrian commuters (12.6%) were more common than cycling commuters (1.3%). There was no clear pattern in cycling or pedestrian commuting by deprivation. The number of cyclists crossing the cordon increased between 2007 and 2010 but interpretation of this is difficult because of variation in seasons and weather. The highest level of cycle commuting was from the sector with the best cycling infrastructure and the highest pedestrian commuting was in the sector without significant road or river barriers. The construction of a new bridge over the river Clyde was associated with an increase in the number of pedestrians and cyclists entering and leaving the cordon from that sector, even after accounting for displacement.ConclusionActive travel in Glasgow is relatively uncommon but is facilitated in areas with fewer physical barriers and better infrastructure. Cordon counts can provide useful localised data on levels of active commuting into City centres.

► Active travel can contribute to health by increasing levels of physical activity.
► Active travel is associated with good pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
► A new bridge over the river Clyde was associated with a rise in active travel.
► Cordon counts can help monitor travel trends and evaluation of new infrastructure.