Psychosocial predictors of active transport in Australia: Applying an extended theory of planned behaviour

Abstract

Active transport (AT), which involves walking or cycling instead of using motorised transport (MT), is underused in Australia. Considering sedentary Australian lifestyles, and the negative impact MT emissions have on climate change, AT offers both health and environmental benefits. Evidence suggests that transport mode choice can be predicted by Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) constructs i.e., attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control (PBC). It is unknown, however, if the TPB extended with descriptive norms, habit and nature relatedness (NR) improves prediction of AT intention and use, and whether MT constructs (the alternate behaviour) are useful predictors. Two online surveys issued one-week apart, measured predictors and subsequent behaviours of adults living in Australia. Participants (N = 294) were aged 18 to 84 years (M = 40.8, SD = 16.0) and predominantly female (n = 199), with 56.5 % completing both surveys. Hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that the standard TPB constructs were significant predictors, explaining over 17 % of the variance in AT intention, after controlling for past behaviour and infrastructure sufficiency. An additional and significant 2.9 % to 3.8 % of AT intention variance was also explained by NR and AT habit. Regarding AT behaviour, AT intention and PBC significantly predicted AT use, accounting for over 46 % of the variance in behaviour. These predictors should therefore be considered when designing strategies to encourage AT uptake. Interventions targeting those higher in NR, or persuasive messaging focusing on subjective norms rather than descriptive norms, may be more effective at increasing Australian AT intentions and use.