Acceptable Walking and Cycling Distances and their Correlates among Older Japanese Adults

This study investigated acceptable walking and cycling distances and their correlates. Cross-sectional data were obtained in 2013 from 8227 people aged >= 65 years in Kasama City, Japan. Acceptable walking distance was assessed by asking What distance would you walk to a destination from your house? (responses: <= 300 m, <= 500 m, <= 1 km, <= 2 km, <= 3 km, and > 3 km). Acceptable cycling distance was assessed using a similar question, with seven response options, including cannot ride a bicycle. The most frequently selected acceptable walking distance was <= 1 km. Those who could ride a bicycle most frequently selected <= 2 km as an acceptable cycling distance. Accessibility to various destinations around the participants' homes was assessed using a geographic information system; these variables for accessibility were integrated using principal component (PC) analysis. Multivariable-adjusted logistic models showed significant positive or negative associations of acceptable walking/cycling distances with age, education, social relationships, frequency of going out, depressive mood, history of falls, and main travel mode. For PC scores for accessibility to various destinations, middle (OR = 0.83, 0.72-0.96) and highest (OR = 0.85, 0.74-0.99) tertile were inversely associated with accepting short cycling distances. Only the middle level PC score (OR = 0.74, 0.64-0.86) was associated with lower odds of accepting a short cycling distance. Older adults may accept active travel options if their destinations are within 1 km for walking or 2 km for cycling. Various internal and external factors determine acceptable travel distances.

Automated summary

This study found that older adults tend to accept walking distances within 1 km and cycling distances within 2 km. Factors such as age, education, social relationships, frequency of going out, depressive mood, and accessibility to destinations influence the acceptance of walking and cycling distances. Accessibility to destinations also plays a role in determining acceptable cycling distances.