Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Working Papers,
Swedish National Road & Transport Research Institute (VTI)

No 2026:1: “I used to cycle all the time” – Cycling Practices Across the Life-Course Among Individuals in Low-Income Occupations in Sweden

Malin Henriksson (), Johanna Larsson () and Elisabeth Lång ()
Additional contact information
Malin Henriksson: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), Postal: VTI, Division of Mobility, Actors and Planning, SE-581 95 Linköping, Sweden
Johanna Larsson: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), Postal: VTI, Division of Driver and Vehicle, SE-581 95 Linköping, Sweden
Elisabeth Lång: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI); Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Postal: VTI, Division of Transport Economics, SE-581 95 Linköping, Sweden

Abstract: Cycling can broaden individuals’ mobility options and reduce the economic burdens associated with more expensive modes of transport. Active mobility offers clear health benefits, but access to and engagement in such activities are not equally distributed across socio-economic groups. This study contributes to the ongoing debate on how socio-economic factors shape active mobility by examining cycling through a social lens. Drawing on in-depth interviews with cyclists and non-cyclists, the study analyses the mobility biographies of Swedish individuals in low-income occupations. The findings explain why individuals in low-income occupations cycle less than more affluent groups. While research participants often view cycling positively, actual engagement is influenced by life circumstances and how individuals interpret these changing conditions. Key barriers include rigid work schedules (particularly early or late shifts), safety concerns in low-income neighbourhoods, and physical exhaustion from demanding jobs. Experiences of bicycle theft and vandalism also play a role in shaping cycling practices. These issues are seldom highlighted in research or policy discussions on how to support cycling. The study contributes to mobility research by showing that cycling practices are shaped not only by access to infrastructure and individual preferences but also by broader social, economic, and cultural factors. It emphasizes the need to consider life-course dynamics and working conditions when promoting cycling among low-income populations.

Keywords: cycling; low-income occupations; mobility biographies; qualitative approach; active travel

JEL-codes: D63; I14; R41; Z13

Language: English

28 pages, February 4, 2026

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