For much of the bicycle’s history, it has rightly been seen as a largely egalitarian mode of transport.  Its low barrier to entry has made it accessible to rich and poor alike.  Research from the University of Cologne suggests this might be changing, as while cycling is now more popular than ever before, its growth has largely been fueled by those with high education levels, who cycle around three times as much as those with lower education.

The researchers analyzed over 800,000 journeys made by over 55,000 people between 1996 and 2018.  The findings suggest that much of the growth in cycling can be attributed to rising education levels.

“The data show a strong correlation between bicycle mobility and education level,” the researchers say. “There are more and more people with higher education, and they are increasingly cycling. Both trends are currently continuing steadily.”

Friendly neighborhoods

Obviously, there is nothing specific to higher education levels that disposes one towards cycling, but the authors believe that such people are more likely to live in bicycle-friendly areas.  These educational differences are even evident within neighborhoods themselves, however, suggesting that there may be something about cycling that is being perceived as something of a middle-class pursuit.

“Individuals with a college degree are nearly 50 percent more likely to use bicycles than those without a college degree, holding factors such as age, gender, and place of residence constant in the analysis. Overall, the results clearly indicate that it is the educational level itself that leads to more bicycling,” the researchers say.

The study builds upon previous work that has shown that people don’t choose their mode of transport purely because of time or cost considerations, but also due to what the mode symbolizes to others.  For instance, riding the bus has often been associated with poverty, whereas driving an expensive car signifies wealth.

“With the bicycle, it’s exactly the opposite. People with higher educational qualifications usually do not run the risk of being perceived as poor or professionally unsuccessful—even if they are on the road with an inexpensive bike. Rather, they can gain status by cycling if they show themselves to be modern, health-conscious, and environmentally aware,” the researchers explain. “In contrast, people with a lower level of education might be more likely to use an expensive car as a status symbol to show that they have ‘made it’.”

The researchers believe that their findings have significant social implications, not least in the possible health inequalities that may emerge if poorer people feel frozen out of an activity that should be highly accessible.

They explain that while most cities around the world are striving to promote cycling and encourage citizens to take more active commutes outside of their car, it seems most of these benefits are being felt by the more highly educated.

“If policymakers succeed in making cycling attractive to all, it will mean more livable cities, better health, more environmental protection, and less social inequality,” the authors conclude.