From cars to bikes – The effect of an intervention providing access to different bike types: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction We aimed to investigate whether providing parents with children in kindergarten with access to different bicycle types could influence (i) travel behavior and cycling amount, and (ii) intrinsic motivation for cycling and psychological constructs related to car use. Methods A randomized, controlled trial was conducted in Southern Norway from September 2017 to June 2018. In total 36 parents were recruited and randomly drawn into an intervention ( n = 18) or control group ( n = 18). The intervention group was in random order equipped with an e-bike with trailer ( n = 6), a cargo (longtail) bike ( n = 6) and a traditional bike with trailer ( n = 6). Results At follow-up, more participants from the intervention group (vs. the control group) were classified as cyclists to the workplace ( n = 7 (38.9%) vs. n = 1 (5.9%), p = 0.04), but not to the kindergarten ( n = 6 (33.3%) vs. n = 2 (11.8%), p = 0.23) or to the grocery store ( n = 2 (11.1%) vs. n = 0 (0%), p = 0.49). A significant ( p = ≤0.05) increase in cycling frequency (0.1 to 2.0 days/week) from baseline to follow-up was found in the intervention group for all destinations and seasons, except to the grocery store during winter ( p = 0.16). A decrease in frequency of car driving (-0.2 to -1.7 days/week) was found to be apparent in terms of travelling to the workplace and the kindergarten for all seasons, yet not to the grocery store for any season ( p = 0.15–0.49). The intervention group (vs. the control group) reported significantly higher “intrinsic regulation” for cycling ( p = 0.01) at follow-up. Conclusion Access to different bike types for parents with children attending kindergarten resulted in overall increased cycling, decreased car use and higher intrinsic motivation for cycling. E-bikes obtained the greatest cycling amount in total, with the smallest sample variability. Hence, providing parents with children in kindergarten with access to e-bikes might result in increased and sustained cycling, also during the winter season.

Cumbersome but desirable—Breaking the code of everyday cycling

“…This qualitative study was part of the research project CARTOBIKE (described in detail elsewhere) [ 17 , 22 ]. A convenience sample was recruited for the project, comprising 36 parents with children attending kindergarten, residing in southern Norway.…”

“…Participants in the intervention group ( n = 18) completed the following intervention arms in random order from September 2017 through May 2018: (i) three months’ access to an e-bike with a trailer ( n = 6); (ii) three months’ access to a human-powered longtail cargo bike ( n = 6); and (iii) three months’ access to a traditional bike with a trailer ( n = 6) in the autumn (September–November), winter (December–February), and spring (March–May) season, respectively. Detailed information on the bikes used in the project and the following equipment was recently published elsewhere [ 17 ]. The different bike types had a price that was manageable for most families with young children, representing a realistic alternative.…”

“…However, greater insight is necessary into reasons for using or avoiding sustainable transport modes in parents with young children [ 5 ]. We recently showed in the intervention study ‘From cars to bikes’ (CARTOBIKE) that Norwegian parents of young children increased cycling for transport and decreased car use when provided free access to different bike types for nine months [ 17 ]. Few studies have assessed the feasibility of or parents’ experiences with everyday cycling; however, a US study reported that using a cargo e-bike for family transport was far more time reliable during rush hour than driving a car, and the greater mobility and freedom of travel provided by the cargo e-bike were highly valued [ 15 ].…”

Towards Carbon-Neutral Mobility in Finland: Mobility and Life Satisfaction in Day-to-Day Life

“…According to our results, the only perceived solution for addressing larger carrying needs is a private car. Recent studies, for example [87], suggest that electric bicycles, to some extent, could answer this issue and reduce use of the private car and also improve the convenience of carrying goods to some extent.…”

Motivations and Barriers for Using Speed Pedelecs for Daily Commuting

“…The main advantage of pedelecs is that they can maintain speed with less effort [23]. This is also the "hidden" driver behind the motivators to use a pedelec.…”