Development and feasibility testing of intervention(s) to support increased participation in active travel in under-represented groups

Background Active travel is beneficial to both our health and our environment. Cycling and walking for commuting can be effective in integrating physical activity into our daily routine.

Participation in active travel is associated with a population-level reduction in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health conditions, and all-cause mortality.

Furthermore, efforts to increase participation in active travel may be cost-effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the impact of efforts to encourage active travel participation in relation to health equity are less clear.

There is evidence to suggest that infrastructure improvements are patterned to favour those socio-economically advantaged and there is both a gender and ethnicity gap with regards to representation in cycling. Where women and those from an ethnic minority background are under-represented. In England, the Department for Transport is committed to spending £2 billion to improve access and increase uptake.

It is essential that consideration is given as to how programmes can be delivered equitably to help reduce health inequalities.

Gateshead Council has been a recipient of this funding to deliver a pilot study on the social prescribing of active travel.

This will provide an opportunity to work closely with communities to understand and configure the requirements to support increased uptake in active travel across the authority.

Aim To understand what efforts and activities may help encourage increased participation in under-represented groups in active travel in Gateshead.

This will be to illustrate how active travel infrastructure can be implemented to enhance participation and ultimately reduce health inequalities.

Methods To achieve my aim, these will be completed through seven objectives: 1 - Needs assessment Mapping of existing active travel infrastructure and identification of population groups that are currently under-represented in active travel in Gateshead.

Using spatial data on both transport and health and discussed in consultation with community stakeholders. 2 - Evidence synthesis Summarise pertinent evidence in the published literature and data intelligence in relation to those identified communities as to the factors relating to participation in active travel. 3 - Stakeholder development Creating a partnership of individuals and organisations both within and beyond Gateshead who will support the implementation of the proposed intervention(s). 4 - Ethnographic case studies Use a mixed-method ethnography to gain a detailed understanding of specific communities within Gateshead in relation to travel. 5 - Co-design Apply interactive design methods to co-create with community members intervention(s) to support increased participation in active travel. 6 - Implementation and evaluation Take an implementation science approach to promote the delivery and evaluation of the resultant intervention(s). 7 - Knowledge mobilisation Share research findings using collaborative and inclusive methods to support increased uptake in both practice and policy.

Anticipated impact Public health impact: Given the UK Government's major financial commitment to fund active travel, insight and influence on policy immediately following completion of my fellowship may have a significant and lasting impact on communities across the country. Career impact: This will help with my transition toward prominence as a local authority practice academic.