Prof Tim Jones
Oxford Brookes University
October 2013 to September 2016
AIM: cycle BOOM was a study to understand cycling among the older population and how this affected independence, health and wellbeing. The ultimate aim was to advise policy makers and practitioners how our environment and technologies could be designed to help people to continue to cycle in older age or to reconnect with cycling.
Objectives:
The study had two principal objectives.
- First, to develop a better understanding of how the design of our towns and cities, along with bicycle technology is shaping older peoples’ experience of cycling. We wanted to know how this affects older people’s willingness to engage with cycling, and ultimately, how this affects independent mobility, health and wellbeing.
- Second, to develop a toolkit for policy makers and practitioners (e.g. planners, architects, engineers and designers). This would advise how the places we live and the technologies we use could be better designed to support and promote cycling among current and future older generations in order to improve independent living, health and wellbeing.
Main project outcomes:
The final report, cycle BOOM | Design for Lifelong Health and Wellbeing, provided key findings on older cycling in the UK and set out over thirty specific recommendations under the umbrella of the World Health Organisation Age Friendly Cities programme to promote and support age friendly cycling.
