Cycling behaviour in 17 countries across 6 continents: levels of cycling, who cycles, for what purpose, and how far?

International comparisons of cycling behaviour have typically been limited to high-income countries and often the prevalence cycling, with lack discussions on demographic trip characteristics. We used a combination city, regional, national travel surveys from 17 across six continents, ranging years 2009 through 2019. present descriptive analysis including level purpose distance, user demographics, at city-level for 35 major cities (>1 million population) in urbanised areas nationwide 11 countries. The Netherlands, Japan Germany are among highest their cities. In high levels, rates tend be more equal between work non-work trips, whereas geographies low is higher than other trips. terms patterns high- low-cycling similar. found strong positive association women’s representation cyclists. almost all mode share greater 7% women made as many cycle trips men, sometimes even greater. by much lower shares less 7%. Among levels children (<16 years) overrepresented. Older adults (>60 remain underrepresented but relatively better where high. settings, females age groups, so when older 16 years. With increasing improves most significantly adults. Clustering into homogeneous typologies reveals that always coincide good representations groups. it reverse. recommend evaluations policies include usage gender groups benchmarks addition overall use. To achieve different making neighbourhoods friendly developing safer routes school, should equally agenda corridors cater commuting traffic.