Speaker
Description
Shifting away from car dependency has become a major challenge of the 21st century due to concerns about climate change, CO₂ emissions, noise pollution, traffic congestion, and road safety. While there have been efforts to encourage behavior change towards active travel modes such as walking and cycling, progress has been slow. This highlights the need for a clearer understanding of policies and strategies that support this transition. With behavior change mobility research on the rise, this review brings together insights from academic studies, policy analyses, and case studies to examine urban policies aimed at promoting active travel.
This review provides a comprehensive analysis of policy approaches and instruments studied over the past decade. It examines how contemporary policies often rely on rational economic models and pedagogical approaches to influence individual behavior, focusing on incentives for walking, cycling, and public transport, alongside disincentives for car use such as congestion pricing and parking restrictions. It later examines how contemporary policies often rely on rational economic models and pedagogical approaches to influence individual behavior, focusing on incentives for walking, cycling, and public transport, alongside disincentives for car use such as congestion pricing and parking restrictions.
However, the review found that these policies often unintentionally reinforce existing inequalities. Affluent populations with better access to resources and alternatives benefit the most, whereas vulnerable groups face barriers to participation. This study argues that there is an urgent need to address these systemic issues within urban policy frameworks.
The review concludes by calling for a holistic approach to urban mobility planning that prioritizes safety, equity, and comfort. These factors, often overlooked, are essential for encouraging active travel and ensuring that the transition is both comprehensive and just. Future research should focus on integrating these critical dimensions in order to build mobility systems that work for everyone.
References
APA
| Keywords | Behavior Change, Urban Mobility Policy, Active Travel |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
