Paper short abstract:

More than a quarter of the world’s adult population do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity set by WHO. Focusing on bicycling as a means of recreation and transport at different stages of life, this paper discusses the role of habits and routines in fulfilling the recommendations.

Paper long abstract:

According to The World Health Organization, WHO, adults should do at least 150-300 minutes of physical activity throughout the week. However, more than a quarter of the world’s adult population do not meet the recommended levels. In high-income countries the insufficient activity increased by 5% between 2001 and 2016. Reasons for the decline in physical activity are sedentary behaviours in the home and at the workplace, inaction during leisure time, and an increase in the use of passive modes of transportation. In this paper, based on answers to an open-ended questionnaire about bicycling, I focus on everyday habits and routines involving physical activity and transportation from a life-course perspective. Though some habits are abandoned, and others change or are adapted as we get older and enter new stages and situations, we retain throughout life many of the habits that were formed in childhood. By analysing how the respondents describe how, why and when they have used - and not used - cycling as a means of recreation and transport at different stages of life, I discuss the importance of habits and routines for fulfilling WHO's recommendations.