Travel Attitude Survey
A study of commuting travel choices.
Derbyshire Pride 2012
Travel Attitude Survey - Derbyshire Pride 2012
Travel Attitude Survey - Derbyshire Pride 2012
Introduction
Derbyshire Pride is an annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community
event held in the City of Derby at the Bass Recreation ground, attended by potentially up
to 8500 people.(1)
According to research by gay market research company Out Now Consulting, homosexual
men and women earned upwards of £81bn in 2007. While a separate survey by OMD
Insight found that 40% of gay people surveyed invested heavily in new technology,
compared with 25% of heterosexuals and that gay consumers took an average of four
flights a year compared to the straight person's three. (2)
Research by Stonewall suggests 76% of gay and bisexual men said their health is good or
very good compared to 82% of men in general. One in four (24%) gay and bisexual men
report being in fair or bad health compared to one in six (17%) men in general. (3)
Just a quarter (25%) of gay and bisexual men meet recommendations for 30 minutes or
more of exercise five times or more per week compared to 39% of men in general.
Meanwhile Stonewall’s Prescription for Change survey found lesbian and bisexual women
are no more likely to be overweight or obese than women in general. Half of their
respondents had a normal BMI, a quarter were overweight and a further fifth were obese.
This is comparable with data for women in general, although it is also noted that obesity
among women & men is of national concern. (4)
Taking into account the findings above, Derbyshire County Council’s sustainable travel
plan team attended the Pride event on 22 September 2012 to undertake a travel survey.
This was to test the hypotheses as to whether there is any evidence to suggest the LGB
community may be:
1. less sustainable travel orientated (perhaps due to being able to afford cars/foreign
travel) or alternatively are they more inclined to invest in more sustainable alternatives;
2. more or less receptive to the idea of active travel and the benefits this might bring in
terms of health.
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Travel Attitude Survey - Derbyshire Pride 2012
Summary
A travel survey was undertaken with 158 attendees at Derbyshire Pride.
39% of those surveyed live in the city council area of Derby.
34% were Derbyshire residents – with the remainder living outside Derbyshire.
30% of those surveyed live, work or study in Derby. 27% work or study in Derbyshire.
53% of those attending said they were lesbian, bisexual or gay. (LGB)
32% said they were heterosexual (straight).
36% of the attending Derbyshire Pride were in the 16-24 age bracket.
41% were aged 25-65.
Those surveyed indicated that walking and travelling by bus were the most common ways
to travel to work or study, followed by single car occupancy.
39% of those answering the survey own a car.
Car ownership increases with age with 19% of 16-24 year olds owning a car compared to
70% of those aged over 25.
23% of LGB respondents aged 16-24 own a car compared to 13% of straight respondents.
A higher proportion of gay men (33%) age 16-24 own a car compared to gay women
(13%)
44% of those surveyed owned a bicycle.
Bicycle ownership does not appear to decrease with increasing car ownership.
49% of LGB respondents aged 16-24 own a bike compared to 56% of straight
respondents.
A higher proportion of gay women (63%) age 16-24 own a bike compared to gay men.
(33%)
Almost two thirds of respondents work or study within less than 5 miles of where they live.
37% of LGB respondents travelled actively (walk or cycle) on journeys less than 5 miles
compared to 46% of straight respondents.
A higher proportion (48%) of LGB 16-24 year olds travel 5 miles or less by bus compared
to their heterosexual counterparts (18%), whereas 45% of straight 16-24 year olds walk
this journey compared to 28% for LGB respondents.
The most commonly cited reason for using a chosen mode of travel to work or study was
that it is quick and convenient.
More frequent and reliable transport and discounted tickets were the most given
suggestions as to what would encourage people to change their mode of travel.
20% of straight respondents said nothing would persuade them to walk, cycle or use
public transport more often, compared to 8% of LGB respondents.
The survey findings suggest there could be benefit in promoting cycling and discount
tickets for public transport at future Pride events.
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Travel Attitude Survey - Derbyshire Pride 2012
Findings
The results of 158 surveys were analysed.
Figures are presented as percentages and are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Age and orientation profile
age
16-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
no age given
Bisexual
Gay man
9%
2%
8%
3%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
20%
2%
13%
orientation
Lesbian
Straight
5%
3%
3%
3%
1%
4%
19%
10%
6%
5%
4%
2%
1%
5%
32%
Other
Prefer not to
say
3%
1%
1%
2%
1%
1%
1%
4%
5%
11%
36%
15%
11%
9%
5%
1%
22%
53% of respondents indicated they were LGB.
36% were in the age group 16-24 years old.
This needs to be considered when further interpreting the survey results as, being a
University city, it is possible many of these young people are likely to have been students,
which in turn may effect or skew travel patterns and travel options.
Place of residence and work/study
145 respondents indicated they were employed or in education.
Place of residence
Amber
Valley
Place of work/study
Amber
Valley
39%
34%
37%
27%
30%
21%
Chesterfield
Derby City
Derbyshire
Dales
3%
1%
2%
2%
Chesterfield
Derby City
Derbyshire
Dales
1%
South
Derbyshire
Outside
Derbyshire
Do not work
or study
30%
2%
1%
1%
1%
10%
South
Derbyshire
1%
1%
1%
1%
4%
1%
1%
1%
1%
7%
3%
1%
Outside
Derbyshire
2%
1%
4%
Erewash
High Peak
Erewash
4%
1%
1%
4%
3%
39%
1%
1%
7%
6%
3%
1%
21%
3%
27%
6%
3%
37%
9%
4%
1%
4%
28%
8%
of those surveyed live in Derby City
live in Derbyshire
of those surveyed work or study in Derby City
of those surveyed work or study in Derbyshire
live and work/study in Derby City
live and work/study outside Derbyshire
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Travel Attitude Survey - Derbyshire Pride 2012
Distance travelled and mode used
The following table compares how far respondents travel to their place of work or study
and by what mode.
Distance travelled
walk
bicycle
motorbike
drive alone
drive with
passenger
passenger
train
bus
Less 1 mile
1 to 5 miles
6-10 miles
11%
13%
4%
4%
8%
2%
1%
1%
5%
1%
2%
1%
1%
5%
1%
1%
17%
15%
48%
5%
15%
11-15 miles
2%
1%
3%
5%
> 15 miles
1%
1%
5%
26%
6%
1%
23%
2%
5%
1%
1%
5%
16%
7%
2%
28%
Walking, public transport and lone car occupancy are the most used modes of travel.
65% of respondents who are in employment or education travel less than 5 miles to their
place of work or study.
Comparison of travel mode by orientation, distance and age.
Journeys to work or study which are 5 miles or less are generally considered as suited to
active modes of travel – i.e cycling or walking.
The table shows mode of travel used for journeys of less than 5 miles.
drive
drive with
active
walk
bicycle
passenger
bus
alone
passenger
travel
LGB
33%
4%
18%
6%
6%
33%
37%
LGB
28%
8%
8%
8%
48%
28%
16-24
LGB
41%
12%
29%
6%
12%
53%
25+
straight
39%
6%
19%
3%
13%
19%
45%
straight
45%
9%
9%
18%
18%
45%
16-25
straight
31%
15%
31%
15%
8%
46%
25+
38% of LGB respondents travelled actively (walk or cycle) on journeys less than 5 miles
compared to 45% of straight respondents.
A higher proportion (48%) of LGB 16-24 year olds travel 5 miles or less by bus compared
to their heterosexual counterparts (18%), whereas 45% of straight 16-24 year olds walk
this journey compared to 28% for LGB respondents.
On journeys over 5 miles there is a higher proportion of car use, accounted for by those
over 25 years old.
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Travel Attitude Survey - Derbyshire Pride 2012
90% of straight respondents age 25 and over who travel more than 5 miles to work or
study, do so by driving alone compared to 43% for LGB.
Reasons for choice of travel
45
LGB
40
Straight
% response
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
no public
transport
quick
cheap
convienent
flexibility
personal safety
disability
make use
investment in
car
use car for
work
environmental
reasons
keep fit
child care
The most commonly cited reason for using a chosen mode of travel to work or study was
that it is quick, cheap and convenient.
A greater proportion of LGB respondents cited the health benefits as influencing their
mode of travel – relating this mostly to walking journeys.
The most commonly cited reason for using a chosen mode of travel to work or study was
that it is quick and convenient.
Encouraging walking, cycling and the use of public transport
45
LGB
40
Straight
% response
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
already walk, cycle,
bus
more frequent,
reliable bus
better public
transport vehicles
better public
transport info
discounted tickets
improved cycle
routes
improved cycle
facilities
more info on cycle
routes
help to find car
share
nothing
A greater proportion of LGB respondents would be encouraged to travel by cycling or
public transport if cycle routes were improved and discount tickets were available.
A greater proportion of straight respondents say that nothing would encourage them to
travel by walking, cycling or using public transport.
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Travel Attitude Survey - Derbyshire Pride 2012
Car and bicycle ownership
39% of respondents own a car and 44% own a bicycle.
Cycle & car ownership by age
100
car
bike
90
80
% ownership
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
16-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Car ownership increases with age with 19% of 16-24 year olds owning a car compared to
an average 70% ownership of those aged over 25.
Bicycle ownership does not appear to decrease with increasing car ownership.
Cycle and car ownership by age and orientation
% who own a bicycle
% of 16-24 who own a bicycle
% of 25+ who own a bicycle
% who own a car
% of 16-24 who own a car
% of 25+ who own a car
Bisexual
48%
53%
67%
Gay man
34%
33%
33%
Lesbian
50%
63%
56%
Straight
49%
56%
59%
42%
20%
33%
47%
33%
75%
50%
13%
81%
43%
13%
70%
Cycle ownership is lowest among gay men (34%)
23% of LGB respondents aged 16-24 own a car compared to 13% of straight respondents.
A higher proportion of gay men (33%) age 16-24 own a car compared to gay women
(13%)
49% of LGB respondents aged 16-24 own a bike compared to 56% of straight
respondents.
A higher proportion of gay women (63%) age 16-24 own a bike compared to gay men.
(33%)
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Travel Attitude Survey - Derbyshire Pride 2012
Car make
None of the respondents said they owned a hybrid or electric car.
Car make by orientation
30
LGB
Straight
25
20
15
10
5
0
VW
Volvo
Vauxhall
Toyota
Suzuki
Skoda
Renault
Peugeot
Nissan
Kia
Ford
Fiat
Daewo
Citroen
Audi
Vauxhall appears to be the make of choice among straight car owners, compared to Ford
for LGB car owners.
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BMW
Travel Attitude Survey - Derbyshire Pride 2012
Conclusions
The survey results probably raise more questions than answers.
Consideration needs to be given to the fact that those surveyed may not be representative
of the LGB community as a whole given the age cohort of attendees who responded and
the fact it only consulted with those members of the community choosing to attend a
Pride event.
Similarly the findings may not be conclusive given the small sample size.
Nevertheless the following points may be worthy of further investigation and action:
1. There is some evidence to suggest LGB people are less likely to walk or cycle
journeys less than 5 miles. However this seems to be accounted for by a higher
proportion of young LGB people who choose to travel by bus.
If the cohort questioned were mainly students, the subsidised bus which serves the
University may account for this.
However why a greater proportion of LGB young people use this compared to their
straight counterparts is unclear.

Could young LGB people feel more vulnerable walking this journey and therefore
choose to travel by bus?
Personal safety concerns were not raised by LGB respondents in the survey – but
this issue could be investigated further.
Action
A greater proportion of LGB respondents said discounted tickets would
encourage further use of public transport.
Many discount schemes are already in existence and future Pride events could
prove an ideal opportunity to promote these to a community who are already
receptive to using public transport.
Consideration also needs to be given to the extent of the potential student
population and further surveys would benefit from distinguishing between
those in education and those in employment.
2. Research by Sustrans (5) shows that nearly half of all women (44%) have access to
a bike but three quarters of women do not cycle at all.
The research also shows a gender divide over cycling - around 8% of men cycle
every day compared to just 1% of women.
The Pride travel survey shows 50% of gay women own a bicycle whereas only 33%
gay men appear own a bicycle.
While cycle ownership is higher among lesbian, bisexual and straight respondents
this does not correspond to a greater proportion of cycle use a mode of travel to
work.
That said walking to work/place of study does appear to be undertaken on the basis
that it is considered a healthy pursuit.

Is cycling considered more of a leisure pursuit rather than a mode of travel to
work?
Is the view and portrayal of cycling less appealing to gay men?
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Travel Attitude Survey - Derbyshire Pride 2012
Would the ‘Cycle Chic’ imagery, traditionally used to promote cycling to women, be
equally an appealing approach to promote cycling to gay men?
Or is it that gay men who like cycling don’t attend Pride events?
Does the request for more improved cycle routes (made mostly by lesbian and
bisexual respondents) point to an opportunity to increase cycling to work?
Action
Future Pride events could provide an opportunity to provide information on
existing cycle routes and to promote a positive image of cycling as a means of
healthy travel to work in Derbyshire.
Include the portrayal of same sex couples and families in literature promoting
Derbyshire countryside events, cycling activities and sustainable travel.
Use the council’s existing social media platforms to make network links with
organisations such as www.dobs.org.uk and www.outdoorlads.com
3. There does not appear to be an discernable difference between LGB & the straight
community with regard to car ownership, other than it appears a greater proportion
of young gay men appear to own a car compared to gay women or straight 16-24
year olds. Car ownership may be more influenced by gender than orientation in that
men may become car owners at a younger age than women if the assumption is
made that straight 16-24 years surveyed were mostly straight women. Since the
survey did not collect data on gender, this can not be determined.
Action
Future surveys could collect data on gender. This being the case, consideration
would need to be made as to the phrasing of the question with respect to the
transgender community.
4. While 34% of those surveyed where from Derbyshire, very few were from
Chesterfield, and there were no responses given from residents from Bolsover,
North East Derbyshire or the High Peak.
Pride events also take place in Sheffield, Manchester and Nottingham.
Action
Working in partnership with neighbouring local authorities could be an
opportunity to replicate this type of study to see if it captures the views of
other Derbyshire residents and if results are comparable to this survey.
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Travel Attitude Survey - Derbyshire Pride 2012
references
(1)
www.midlandszone.co.uk/news.asp?thisId=2280&thisName=Get-ready-for-DerbyshirePride&newsindx=Local-News&idxid=3
(2)
www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/apr/25/pink-pound-gay-couples-parents
(3) www.healthylives.stonewall.org.uk/includes/documents/cm_docs/2012/g/gay-and-bisexual-mens-health-suvey.pdf
(4)
www.stonewall.org.uk/documents/prescription_for_change_1.pdf
(5)
www.edinburghbicycle.com/comms/site_news/cycling-news-index/women-bikes-accessibility.htm?f_Cardinal=4
complied by
Derbyshire County Council
sustainable travel team
Environmental Services
County Hall, Matlock, DE4 3AG
For further information contact:
Rob Bounds
senior transport officer
[email protected]
01629 538056
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