Factors associated with leisure-time bicycling among adults in the United States: An urban-rural comparison

Authors: FITZHUGH, EUGENE - University Of Knoxville; SMOCK, CARISSA - North Carolina State University; Roemmich, James; ABILDSO, CHRISTIAAN - West Virginia University; GUSTAT, JEANETTE - Tulane University; KELLSTEDT, DEBRA - Texas A&M University; BALIS, LAURA - Gretchen Swanson Center For Nutrition

Submitted to: Journal of Physical Activity and Health
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/28/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Leisure-time (LT) bicycling in rural areas of the US has unique barriers such as costs of, and access to, equipment; and safe places to ride. Bicycling in rural US areas is also made difficult by the relative lack of safe cycling infrastructure compared to urban areas. Unknown, however, are whether there are differences in the prevalence of riding, or differences in rider characteristics across rural-urban residence. This study investigated if the number of people and characteristics of LT bicyclists differs between populations living in urban and rural settings. Data from the 2019 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed. LT bicycling in the US among adults was less prevalent in rural settings and has declined over the past decade. Leisure time bicycling in rural areas has barriers that warrant further study. Regardless of whether an adult lives in a rural or urban community, a person who is a leisure bicyclist is very likely to meet the guidelines for being highly active.

Technical Abstract: Objective: Leisure-time (LT) bicycling poses unique barriers that must be overcome, including high costs of and access to equipment, and safe places to ride. Bicycling in rural US areas is further complicated by the relative lack of safe cycling infrastructure that may limit the population of people who adopt bicycling as a LT activity. Unknown, however, are whether there are differences in the prevalence of riding, or differences in rider characteristics across rural-urban residence. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the prevalence and profile of LT bicyclists differs between populations living in urban and rural settings. Methods: 2019 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System data from adults (N=396,261) who reported up to 2 LT physical activities over the past month were analyzed. The prevalence of adults who reported bicycling across demographics and urban/rural counties in the US were identified using the 2013 NCHS Urban/Rural Classification Scheme. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine whether the prevalence of adults who report bicycling was associated with urban/rural classification of residence. Analyses were conducted using SUDAAN. Results and Conclusion: LT bicycling in the US among adults is less prevalent in rural settings and has declined over the past decade. It remains unclear if LT has declined at the same rate as the overall rate of LT bicycling in the US because there have been few studies of rural LT cycling. Leisure time bicycling in rural areas has unique barriers at multiple ecological levels that warrant further study to determine the best approaches to promoting bicycling in rural areas. Last, regardless of the level of urbanization, a person who is a leisure bicyclist is very likely to meet the guidelines for being highly active. Bicycling should be considered a healthy form of achieving health-enhancing physical activity in rural communities.