Compiling data on sports participation, including the indication that as much as 42% of the population does not participate in sports, bicycle micromobility seems to be an ideal solution.
In 2022, the ratio of exercisers per 1,000 of the Polish population in 2022 was 29. This is still higher than in previous years. We move little. Why? There seems to be no shortage of infrastructure. At least looking at the data. In the "Sport Poland" Program, since 2018, grants have been awarded for a total of more than PLN 1.6 billion. The purpose of the program is to support the implementation of investment tasks for sports facilities throughout the country[1]. Co-financing can be provided for facilities open to the public, enabling mass sports.
Meanwhile, in the period from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021, i.e. after just a few years since the program has been in operation, 38.8% of Poles participated in sports or physical recreation. Polish residents undertook physical activity mainly for pleasure and entertainment, and the most common form of sports and recreation was cycling[2]. Among those who exercised, young people under the age of 18 generally dominated, with as many as 71.0% exercising[3].
We will also see this data in a survey of Europeans, although on average 45% of EU citizens say they never exercise or play sports, in Poland the result is as high as 65%[4], which puts us at the tail end of Europe. They exercise or play sports at least once a week most often in Finland (71%), Luxembourg (63%), the Netherlands (60%) and Denmark and Sweden (59% in both countries).
Sports and physical activity
Special Eurobarometer 525, Eurostat
To the question "How often do you engage in other physical activity, such as cycling from place to place, dancing, gardening, etc.? By "other physical activity" we mean physical activity for recreational or non-sports purposes." in 2022, 42% of our population answered never.
Sports and physical activity
Special Eurobarometer 525, Eurostat
Complete lack of exercise
Leisure-time physical activity surveyed in Europe is based on the statement of any physical activity done outside of work, including traveling on one's own (walking, biking, etc.) or moving around in a sporting activity, at least 10 minutes a week. According to the survey, the most popular way to exercise outside of work hours in 2019 was:
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walking as a means of transportation (to and from a place) - 83% of the EU population, in Poland 88%,
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aerobic sports - for the EU 44%, in Poland 26%,
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muscle strengthening - for the EU 26%, in Poland 12%.
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Cycling as a means of transportation (getting to and from a place) - for the EU 24%, in Poland 26%[5].
So how about cycling?
Since cycling comes out second in our country, I decided to check it out. It turns out that for the purpose of commuting to work or study, only 6% of our society chooses to use a bicycle[6]. 47% of respondents answered that the car is their primary means of transportation.[7] Is this little or much? Converting to individuals, about one million Poles commute by bicycle. Interestingly, these people declare the responsibilities of driving them to kindergarten or school. The most appreciated benefits of cycling are: the pleasure of riding and... taking care of health and fitness (considered important by more than 90% of people).
Statistically, urban residents, among others, living in relatively close proximity to their destination (from 2 to 6 kilometers) are more likely to be willing to switch to a bicycle. An important factor here, however, is the rating of one's locality as bike-friendly, and the presence of bicycle facilities at one's place of work and study. According to the Central Statistical Office's 2021 report, cycling is a skill mastered by 95.9% of Polish women and men. Recent years also indicate that the number of accidents involving cyclists is decreasing, but Wrocław is the worst in this regard (0.83 accidents per 1,000 residents). Krakow is to be commended for this, having spent PLN 18.5 million on the construction of bicycle infrastructure in 2022[8]. In the last decade, Polish provincial cities have actually increased the number of bicycle roads. The increase was 143%, reaching 3,480 kilometers. The largest increase occurred in smaller provincial cities, such as: Kielce (350%), Opole (287%) and Katowice (264%)[9].
Sports? Only by the way.
Among the most important reasons that prevented people from practicing sports, most people declared lack of time (41%) and lack of motivation (23%). The most preferred place to exercise is in nature, with almost half of people declaring that they choose this place[10]. So perhaps shifting to a bicycle is one of the key ways to activate Poles? This seems to be the simplest solution, but completely disconnected from problems such as suburbanization and housing accessibility.
Far closer to feasibility is the introduction of urban bicycles. In 2021, 12 of the 20 Polish cities analyzed have launched a bike sharing system[11]. Further away, however, they are not available year-round in many places. There is also a lot to do with the quality of infrastructure, including the sense of security of cyclists and cyclists. This is also a step in the introduction of micromobility in cities. and one of the basic components of sustainable mobility. They also improve both mental and physical health[12]. So let's look out for change, because to quote one of the book's titles - the bicycle can indeed change the world.
Magdalena Milert
[1] https://www.gov.pl/web/sport/kolejne-rozstrzygniecia-w-programie-sportowa-polska-2023
[2] CSO, Participation in sports and physical recreation in 2021.
[3] CSO, Physical culture in 2021 and 2022.
[4] Eurobarometer 525 - Sport and Physical Activity
[5] Eurostat, Statistics on sport participation, 2019
[6] Survey report on determinants to undertake transport physical activity of Poles TNS POLSKA for the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Poland
[7] https://klimat.rp.pl/transport/art37203581-polacy-lubia-rowery-ale-jezdza-samochodami
[8] https://www.centrumrowerowe.pl/blog/miasta-dla-rowerzystow/
[9] PIE Economic Weekly, 28/2023, July 13, 2023.
[10] Eurobarometer 525, Sport and Physical Activity, KANTAR 2022.
[11] https://swiatoze.pl/rowerzysci-w-polsce-raport-miasta-dla-rowerzystow-2022
[12] Götschi, T., Garrard, J., & Giles-Corti, B. (2016). Cycling as a part of daily life: a review of health perspectives. Transport Reviews, 36(1), 45-71.
