Globally India tops in those who ride a bicycle at least once a week: Ipsos Global Advisor Cycling Across the World Survey 2022
Globally India tops in those who ride a bicycle at least once a week: Ipsos Global Advisor Cycling Across the World Survey 2022; 9 in 10 urban Indians believe cycling reduces carbon emissions; Cycling infrastructure, safety, determine popularity of riding by markets
June 3rd is World Bicycle Day. In a run up to the day, Ipsos conducted a global 28 country survey among 20,504 adults, titled Cycling Across the World to understand and capture views on Cycling, on how it is perceived and its utility. The survey brings out interesting facets of cycling and its relevance by markets.
India tops in those who ride a bicycle at least once a week
At least 2 in 3 urban Indians (67%) claim to be riding a bicycle at least once in a week, which is the highest globally. Followed by China (66%) and Netherlands (65%). While the markets with lowest incidence of riding were Canada (16%) and the UK (19%).
Further, at least 21% urban Indians claimed bicycle was their primary mode of transportation for a short distance, of 2 kms. The highest numbers were seen for Netherlands (45%) China (33%) where relatively higher number of citizens claimed to be cycling for short distances. And markets where bicycle was least preferred as the primary transportation mode were Canada (4%) and the US (6%).
Commenting on the findings of the study, Amit Adarkar, Ipsos India CEO said, “Cycling means different things to different strata of society in India. It is the vehicle of mobility for the poor and the popular leisure activity for the urban citizen, whose primary route of mobility would be public transport, shared mobility solutions, a 4-wheeler or a 2-wheeler. Improving infrastructure for cycling is popularizing its adoption. During the pandemic when everyone was home bound, cycling emerged as an important lockdown activity in residential areas.”
Perceived benefits of cycling
At least 9 in 10 urban Indians (90%) believe cycling plays an important role in reduction of carbon emissions. 86% global citizens hold similar view. And markets with highest scores were Peru and China (94%) and lowest was Germany (77%).
88% urban Indians believe cycling plays an important part in reduction of traffic. 80% global citizens hold this view. And highest score was for Peru (94%) and lowest in the US (66%).
Though cycling is perceived to be more of an urban trend by at least 3 in 4 (74%) urban Indians polled. Global citizens (68%) and Peru (86%) and Colombia (83%) too, believe the same. Hungary at 41% had the least agreeing.
8 in 10 urban Indians (82%) want new roads and infrastructure to provide greater emphasis to bicycles over automobiles. Peru agreed most at 86% and Canda (41%) agreed least. More number of global citizens polled (68%) endorsed it.
2 in 3 urban Indians (65%) believe cyclists in their area respect traffic rules. Though cyclists represent as much danger to pedestrians as to automobiles believe 58% of urban Indians polled.
Also at least 55% of the urban Indians polled believe cycling is extremely dangerous in their area. Chile & Colombia (70%) agree most, followed by Mexico & Peru (68%). Netherlands agrees least (14%). Markets vouching for the quality of cycling infrastructure had Netherlands (81%), China (74%) and Saudi Arabia (73%) at the top. India had at least 64% rating it good. Japan was at the bottom of the heap with just 28% agreeing.
