Active travel in London: The role of travel survey data in describing population physical activity

National population physical activity surveys may mask the patterns of active travel in urban areas with high public transport and lower car use. Transport for London׳s London Travel Demand Survey (LTDS) was analysed to understand key demographic correlates of active travel among London adult residents. LTDS is a rolling household survey carried out throughout the year with residents of London. Travel information is collected for household members aged five and over for a given travel day based on an annual sample of around 8000 households. Active travel by Inner and Outer London residents was analysed using a multivariate logistic regression of indicators related to active travel, including car ownership, bicycle use, age, gender, ethnicity, household income and employment. Social correlates of active travel were similar among Inner and Outer London residents. Significant differences in the likelihood of achieving 30 min of active travel were found by household car ownership, age, income, bicycle ownership and employment. People living in non-car owning households were between two and three times (OR 2.5 and 3.3) more likely to travel actively for 30 min on a given day than people in multi-car owning households. People who own and use a bicycle were around twice as likely (OR 1.8 and 2.2) to travel actively for at least 30 min compared to those who do not own a bicycle.