This paper will take an initial look at the spatial and temporal flexibility in the activity patterns of the so-called "baby-boomer" cohort (born 1947 to 1966), in comparison with younger and older adults. Using a uniquelongitudinal survey carried in Quebec City from 2002-2005, the paper explores activity patterns and trip rates over a seven-day observation period during the first wave, and takes a first look at some aspects of their evolution over two subsequent waves at about one-year intervals. The paper models the propensity to undertake activities within selected conventional non-work classifications such as "shopping" and "leisure", and also according to respondents' own perceptions of the spatial and temporal flexibility of each out-of-home activity that they had executed. While the paper cannot strictly separate cohort effects from age-related effects, after controlling for gender and household structure, the infers that age and related lifestyle effects dominate in explaining these propensities. However, the boomers were the only age stratum to increase their total out-of-home activity participation over the course of the panel, an intriguing starting point for the future study of this cohort.
Abstract