Methods

The formal development of this report was conducted in three main parts: an analysis of local and national data on transport and health, a review of the evidence for the health benefits of exercise, and interviews with local stakeholders and other experts concerned with cycling and other local transport issues.

Travel, injury, and other data

Statistical and other data were obtained from appropriate sources, including the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the DETR. The Information Team at Oxfordshire Health Authority was exceptionally helpful, and provided a wide range of these data in the appropriate formats.

Literature review

Major electronic databases were searched for relevant papers. The search terms were selected to emphasise sensitivity rather than specificity. Results were closely inspected for relevant papers, which were then selected on the basis of quality criteria.19 Other studies were located by studying citations within the papers obtained, and from previous work in this field. The staff of the Institute of Health Sciences library were extremely helpful, both in providing advice and training on search strategies, and in obtaining references.

Other sources of information included literature and references obtained at two conferences on cycling and health, one organised by the British Medical Association, the other by the Road Danger Reduction Forum. As a co-opted member of both the Highways and Traffic Committee and the Pedestrians' and Cyclists' Sub-Committee of Oxford City Council, I was able to observe discussions and decisions concerning local cycling and other transport issues. Academics and other experts were contacted for suggestions of key documents, and interviewees were extremely helpful in suggesting and providing sources of important information.

Stakeholder views

Local stakeholders were identified in a number of ways. Previous work on cycling for Oxfordshire Health Authority had involved contact with relevant local people, who were also able to suggest other suitable contacts. It was felt important to obtain a broad spectrum of political views from within local government, as well as contributions from the police, the universities, bus companies, representatives of local businesses, Oxfordshire Health Promotion, health service staff, and others. Mayer Hillman, Senior Fellow Emeritus at the Policy Studies Institute, a transport and health policy expert and the author of the original BMA book 20 which inspired this report, was also interviewed as an expert in the field.

The purpose of the interviews was to obtain information about local issues relevant for cycling, such as major political and community concerns, the viewpoints of the people involved in making the decisions, and obstacles to development within the current structures. It was also hoped that some unanticipated insights, and potential solutions to some of the problems, would become apparent.

Interviews were conducted either in person or by telephone, apart from one interviewee who gave a written response to the questions and requested anonymity; everyone approached for interview agreed to participate. Most interviews took around 30 minutes, although some lasted well over an hour. All interviewees will be sent a copy of this report.

Interviews were preceded with an explanation of my role and the purpose of the report. The interviews were semi-structured around a small number of questions. Discussion beyond the terms of the questions was encouraged. Notes were taken during the interview, typed up afterwards, and analysed in several stages. Major themes were identified and analysed in terms of factors such as the respondent's cycling experience and rural or urban location.

Top | Home | Previous | Next