Maintenance of action: A qualitative study of cycle commuting adoption resulting from a cycle loan scheme

Cycling has multiple health benefits, but its share of commuting mode remains low in the UK. Little is known about barriers and determinants for new sustained recruits to commuting, and few studies have examined new recruits for a sufficient duration to enable habit formation. This qualitative study explores the experiences of adults starting or returning to cycle commuting in Bristol to gain insight into the determinants of initiation and maintenance of cycle commuting. Semi-structured interviews with ten participants were conducted on or after returning the cycle, analysed using thematic analysis. It was found that participants were concerned by safety, the hostile road environment, poor infrastructure, roadworks, weather, hills, theft, and the relative need to be organised. They were motivated by life-transitions and time savings. Health and cost were both motivators and barriers, with the disadvantage being effort required and equipment costs. Workplace culture and facilities were influential. Participants did not feel integrated with pre-existing cyclists, did not easily find the ‘joy of cycling’, nor integrate cycling into wider routines. In conclusion, participants’ positive feelings could be crowded-out by negative experiences and cultural norms. Health and environmental gains may be limited if participants are already active and/or switching from public transport. While participants reported they intended to continue, maintenance of the activity may not readily continue. • There are structural, physical, personal and domestic factors that combine in a complex way when commencing cycle commuting. • Commuter cycling may not easily be sustained by people who only commute, and habit formation is fragile. • Physical activity is a motivator and barrier, there is ambiguity about belonging to the ‘cyclist’ identity group. • Formal training and informal support, actions to generate workplace culture, and extendible loan periods are required.