The 1996 Hackney Local Transport Day survey was carried out in Stoke Newington, Dalston and Hackney town centres. Members of Hackney’s Agenda 21 Sustainable Transport Group, Hackney Friends of the Earth and Hackney Cycling Campaign asked 382 Hackney shoppers about their journey that day, and their views on transport in the Borough. Using short questionnaires in three shopping streets, volunteers wanted to know if local people thought it was time for improvements to our increasingly congested and run-down transport arrangements.

As with the ’91 census, we found that only 39% of Hackney shoppers owned their own cars.

People who use Hackney’s shops live locally: over half had arrived on foot - 75% travelling less than a mile, and only 13% had used a car.

Even 68% of those who owned cars said they’d be happy to do without them if bus services were better. More frequent and reliable buses and trains, and lower fares were the most popular issues, with a massive 94% agreeing that: "More priority should be given to improving public transport".

87% said there should be more facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, even if this restricts motor traffic. Lots of people suggested traffic reduction in residential areas, and a comprehensive network of bus and cycle lanes kept free of parked cars. Specifically, 62% of shoppers in Stoke Newington and Dalston said that buses and cycles should be allowed to go both ways along Stoke Newington High Street (currently a part of the A10) .

Responses to the proposition, "There should be more facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, even if this restricts motor traffic":

(Broken down by site and car/bike ownership)

There’s lots of work to be done to get Hackney people onto their bikes. While 41% said they had a cycle at home, only 4% had used them that day. 55% said they would cycle, or would use their bikes more, if the roads were safer.