Individual, social and neighbourhood correlates of cycling among children living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods

Objectives To describe cycling behaviours and examine individual, social and neighbourhood correlates of cycling among children living in socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Design Cross-sectional. Methods Mothers of 289 children (46% boys) aged 8–15 (mean 12 ± 2.2) years living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Victoria, Australia were surveyed about their child’s cycling frequency and duration in a typical week. Perceptions of cycling, cycling ability, cycling behaviours and road safety were proxy- and self-reported by mothers. Shortest road distance from home to school was determined using a Geographic Information System. Multivariable logistic regression analyses examined associations between individual, social and neighbourhood variables and cycling frequency (>once/week) and duration (>60 min/week). Results Overall, 70% of boys and 49% of girls cycled > once/week; rates of cycling for >60 min/week were 60% and 32%, respectively. Children had greater odds of cycling > once/week if they enjoyed cycling for fun (OR = 13.3, 95%CI = 2.0, 86.9). Children had greater odds of cycling for >60 min/week if they enjoyed cycling for fun (OR = 17.1, 95%CI = 1.7, 167.7) or if they were allowed to cycle on main roads (OR = 3.2, 95%CI = 1.1, 9.1). Children who had to cross several roads to access play areas had lower odds of cycling for >60 min/week (OR = 0.3, 95%CI = 0.1, 0.7). Conclusions Future research should investigate strategies to increase children’s enjoyment of cycling, independent mobility and safe access by cycling to key destinations such as play areas.