[1]

Thinking outside the bike:the challenge for truly connecting cycling!

Liz Ampt

November 2003

[2] Getting around a city …

This is sometimes how it feels!

This is sometimes how it feels!

[3] Why change travel behaviour?

► Community good

● To reduce car use, congestion, emissions, pollution

► Individual good

● Getting around is driving me crazy! – many reasons

► Voluntary behaviour change is about solving the individual problem to achieve both

[4] Voluntary Travel Behaviour Change

► People choosing to change themselves , in order to make a personal gain

without

● a top-down mechanism

● regulation

● a feeling of compulsion

[5] Voluntary behaviour change

Now - Status quo

Now - Status quo

ChangeDeciding to change

behaviourto achieve a personal goal - without anyone telling you

ChangeDeciding to change

behaviourto achieve a personal goal - without anyone telling you

AA BB CC DD

Personal Goal

Continuing to behave differently because life is

better(Sustainable change)

Continuing to behave differently because life is

better(Sustainable change)

Several ways

ReinforcementReinforcement DiffusionDiffusion

[6] Why do people want to change?

► Negative effects of a behaviour reach a certain level

● Too long, costs too much, too unreliable, not getting enough exercise, always rely on someone else

► Recognition that it is possible to change, e.g.

● Behaviour of ‘trusted others’

● Change moment

● Fashion

► Perception of the benefits

[7] What might help people to change?

► Money sometimes motivates

● Cultural and social values more important – even in ‘economic’ decisions

● Money is not important for everyone

● They can increase non-desired behaviours

► Information sometimes motivates

● Assume that if you know, you will change

● Energy audits alone –> negligible savings

● Can result in attitude rather than behaviour change

● Needs to be framed in terms of losses

► Attitudes sometimes motivate

[8] Use of a voluntary behaviour change approach

► To achieve a community good by solving an individual problem

[9] Example 1

► What bothers you about getting around Canberra?

● I can never be sure how long it will take me in the car or on the bus - by the time I’ve parked or waited.

I always leave early to allow time. Besides which I spend so much time travelling I never get to the gym anymore.

► Discussion is likely to lead to a cycling option for some trips

[10] Example 2

► What bothers you about getting around Brisbane?

● Taking the children to school by car costs a lot.

Couldn’t let them walk because of all the dangers

Doesn’t know anyone to take her child

► Discussion: she thinks of asking her child to suggest parents as car poolers or might say she knows there is bus but doesn’t know how to catch it.

[11] Example 3

► What bothers you about getting around Melbourne?

● New to the city, get lost going to the supermarket

► Discussion: finds out and chooses to use route finder on the internet.

[12] Thinking outside the bike

► Going to school in Brisbane

● Money was the issue – a bike solution may not help

► Going shopping in Melbourne

● Bike solution probably impractical

[13] Aims of Conference

► To expose policy makers, practitioners, cycling groups and enthusiasts to current thinking and best practice in travel behaviour change To provide information & resources on how to develop cost-effective programs to increase ensure that cycling and public transport are options for people to help them get around easily usage

[14] Truly connecting cycling

► Understanding that there are many options

► Being clear that the best result is meshing community and individual good

► Ideas

● Designing ‘change’ events

● Rewarding any change – e.g. thinking outside the square to work day

● A ‘getting around easier’ day

● And more …