Motivations for walking, cycling and using public transport.

Author(s)
Furian, G. Brandstätter, C. Britschgi, V. & Drápela, E.
Year
Abstract

Reducing our dependency on cars has many environmental and health benefits: decrease in traffic congestion, improvement in air quality, andhealthier people. Also positive effects on road safety are to be expected (e.g. through a modal shift from passenger cars to public means of transport with lower accident risk). On the other hand, switching from car to bicycle could in some countries increase the numberof cycling accidents, e.g. head traumas due to the lack of helmet use. Large-scale introduction of electric vehicles and electric bicycles brings new risks and challenges to the field of road safety (SWOV, 2011.). Research is available on travel behaviour and simulation for modal shifts of motorized road users to other means of transport. For example, Steg (2003) explored the barriers which deter car drivers from switching to public means oftransport and Anable (2005) categorised a population of day-trip travellers into potential ‘mode switchers’ based on the their planned behaviour. Möser and Bamberg (2008) examined the role of cars in the perception of the drivers finding a stronger function as status symbols with the role as a functional means of transport becoming secondary. Cairns et al. (2004) and Jacobsson et al. (2004) analysed the impact of ‘soft’ transport policy measures and travel demand management on car usage reduction. In this paper, the motivations and travelling styles of people who mainly use other means of transport (rather than cars or motorcycles) are examined. To know and to understand the motivations for travelling using these other methods of transportation is crucial for policy makers if they are to draft effective traffic policies that encourage a shift from car use to greater use of other means of transportation. The overlap of different modes by individuals is recognised. It is not uncommon for road users tomake use of a variety of different modes in the same day. Although, it is convenient to talkabout car drivers and pedestrians as separate groups, the reality is that many users areboth, but at different times. The results are based on SARTRE 4 project (Social Attitudes to Road Traffic Risk in Europe). The project has received funding from the European Union Commission, and from the 19 participating countries. This publication may be accessed by Internet users at: http://www.ictct.org/workshop.php?workshop_nr=35

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Publication

Library number
20130304 q ST (In: ST 20130304 [electronic version only])
Source

In: Road safety in a globalised and more sustainable world : current issues and future challenges : papers and presentations presented at the 25th workshop of the International Cooperation on Theories and Concepts in Traffic Safety ICTCT, Hasselt, Belgium, October 8-9, 2012, Pp.

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This publication is one of our other publications, and part of our extensive collection of road safety literature, that also includes the SWOV publications.