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.