TY - JOUR
T1 - Cycling and non-aggressive driving in urban areas
T2 - What are the factors enabling them and how environment-friendly behaviour underpins their relationship?
AU - Oikonomou, Alexandros
AU - Basbas, Socrates
AU - Politis, Ioannis
AU - Nikitas, Alexandros
AU - Georgiadis, Georgios
N1 - Funding Information:
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors would like to express their deepest thanks to Andronis Kyriakos and Mavridis Nikolaos, Graduates of the School of Rural & Surveying Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, for their valuable contribution to the data collection process.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors
PY - 2024/3/1
Y1 - 2024/3/1
N2 - Introduction: Bicycles, especially after Covid-19, are emerging as an increasingly popular travel mode, but at the same time cycling is still viewed and treated negatively by some drivers. Aggressive driving, in particular, affects all road users adversely but disproportionately so cyclists who could be (or feel) in danger because of that. Non-aggressive driving is important in this light but often overlooked by the literature. This study aims to identify the factors influencing the decision to cycle or drive non-aggressively. Methods: The driver's choice of using a bicycle and driving their car non-aggressively was investigated using the framework of Paul C. Stern's theory of Environmentally Significant Behaviour (ESB). A face-to-face questionnaire study took place in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece, asking 140 participating drivers to answer 32 questions. Two Structural Equation Models (SEM) based on ESB theory were constructed, one for each choice. Results: There is a direct connection between the absence of prejudice against cyclists and drivers choosing to cycle or drive non-aggressively. Drivers who prioritise specific personal values, such as safety, equality, and respect for diversity, are more likely to be willing to cycle. On the other hand, drivers with more traffic violations and better knowledge of speed limits often display more aggressive behaviour when driving. Conclusions: The study emphasised the importance of implementing policies that encourage drivers to alter their travel behaviour by shifting towards cycling and reducing aggressive driving. Measures that combat negative attitudes towards cyclists may increase cycling and inspire efforts to create an environment that fosters the harmonious coexistence between car drivers and cyclists.
AB - Introduction: Bicycles, especially after Covid-19, are emerging as an increasingly popular travel mode, but at the same time cycling is still viewed and treated negatively by some drivers. Aggressive driving, in particular, affects all road users adversely but disproportionately so cyclists who could be (or feel) in danger because of that. Non-aggressive driving is important in this light but often overlooked by the literature. This study aims to identify the factors influencing the decision to cycle or drive non-aggressively. Methods: The driver's choice of using a bicycle and driving their car non-aggressively was investigated using the framework of Paul C. Stern's theory of Environmentally Significant Behaviour (ESB). A face-to-face questionnaire study took place in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece, asking 140 participating drivers to answer 32 questions. Two Structural Equation Models (SEM) based on ESB theory were constructed, one for each choice. Results: There is a direct connection between the absence of prejudice against cyclists and drivers choosing to cycle or drive non-aggressively. Drivers who prioritise specific personal values, such as safety, equality, and respect for diversity, are more likely to be willing to cycle. On the other hand, drivers with more traffic violations and better knowledge of speed limits often display more aggressive behaviour when driving. Conclusions: The study emphasised the importance of implementing policies that encourage drivers to alter their travel behaviour by shifting towards cycling and reducing aggressive driving. Measures that combat negative attitudes towards cyclists may increase cycling and inspire efforts to create an environment that fosters the harmonious coexistence between car drivers and cyclists.
KW - Aggressive and non-aggressive driving
KW - Cycling
KW - Environmentally significant behaviour
KW - Transport safety in mixed traffic situations
KW - Travel behaviour change
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85187279496&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jth.2024.101768
DO - 10.1016/j.jth.2024.101768
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85187279496
VL - 35
JO - Journal of Transport and Health
JF - Journal of Transport and Health
SN - 2214-1405
M1 - 101768
ER -