Differences in the social patterning of active travel between urban and rural populations: findings from a large UK household survey

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.