Speakers
Description
This paper explores the potential of behavioral interventions to drive a modal shift from unsustainable transportation modes to active mobility—walking, cycling, and wheeling— particularly with a focus on people in vulnerable situations, such as the elderly, women, children, people with disabilities, low-income groups, and their intersectionality. The research is conducted within the framework of JUST STREETS, a Horizon Europe project that supports pilot and follower cities from nine European countries in reshaping public spaces and streets to prioritize inclusivity for all.
The study applies the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behavior), to identify key behavioral barriers faced by individuals in vulnerable situations and evaluate targeted interventions to foster active mobility as an equitable and sustainable transportation option supported by interventions aiming at changing behavior and policies enabling those as outlined by Michie et al. (2011).
Drawing from best practices across different European countries. interventions are categorized based on their ability to address specific needs, including accessibility, safety, affordability, ability, motivation, and reliability while applying the lens of the COM-B framework to understand their effectiveness in overcoming barriers to active mobility targeting the benefits and the impacts on vulnerable population. We include over 50 active mobility interventions covering diverse interventions including community-driven programs to enhance motivation, training initiatives to build capability, and infrastructural improvements that increase perceived and actual opportunities for active mobility touching upon various behavioral change determinants as emotions, beliefs, social influences and motivation
The paper underscores the importance of integrating behavioral insights into policy-making and urban planning, highlighting strategies to empower vulnerable populations, shift travel behaviors, and ensure access to safe, affordable, and reliable transport for promoting active mobility and fostering long-term behavioral change toward inclusive, sustainable urban transport systems.
References
Michie, S., Van Stralen, M. M., & West, R. (2011). The behaviour change wheel: A new method for characterising and designing behaviour change interventions. Implementation Science, 6(1), 42. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-6-42
| Keywords | Active Mobility, Inclusion, COM-B Model, Accessibility, Mobility Justice, Behavioral Change |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
