Cycling among people experiencing socio-economic disadvantage: a scoping review protocol.

Abstract

Introduction: Active mobility, such as walking, wheeling, and cycling, is a low-carbon transport mode and a source of physical activity. Cycling, as a form of active mobility, is associated with physical and mental health benefits, transport cost savings, and improved air quality. During the transition to sustainable mobility, equitable outcomes depend on opportunities for active mobility reaching across our societies. This review will chart what is currently known about cycling among people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage.

Objective: To conduct a scoping review to understand the extent and type of evidence reporting utility cycling (i.e., cycling for transport) among people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage.

Inclusion criteria: This review will include studies involving adult participants who are described as experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. Studies will be included if the focus/objective relates to utility cycling and the study reports cycling experiences, purposes, barriers, enablers, frequencies, perceptions, correlates, determinants, impacts, and/or interventions. Primary research using a qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method design will be considered. Relevant peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings, dissertations/theses, and preprints will be included.

Methods: The review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute's guidance for scoping reviews. A search strategy that includes key terms and subject headings was developed and translated for use across the following databases: PsycINFO (via EBSCOhost), SPORTDiscus (via EBSCOhost), CINAHL (via EBSCOhost), Embase, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (via Web of Science), Europe PMC (preprints), and OpenAlex (preprints). Database search results will be collated in Zotero and uploaded to Covidence for study selection. Titles, abstracts, and subsequent full texts will be independently screened by two reviewers. Data will be extracted from the included studies using a data-extraction tool. Data will be synthesized in two stages: (1) charting the data and (2) descriptive qualitative content analysis.