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Attitudes and the environment as determinants of active travel in adults: What do and don’t we know?

Jenna Panter , Andy Jones

Background: Walking and cycling for transport, or ‘active travel’, has the potential to contribute to overall physical activity levels. However, a wide range of factors are hypothesised to be associated with adult’s active travel behaviour. This paper describes current knowledge of the psychological and environmental determinants of active travel in adults, and considers ways in which the two domains can be better integrated. Methods: Quantitative studies were reviewed which examined psychological and environmental influences on active travel in an adult population. Studies were classified according to whether they examined psychological, environmental or both types of factor. Results: Nine studies were identified which examined psychological correlates of active travel behaviour in adults, and forty-one which examined environmental correlates. Six studies were identified which considered both domains, of which only two of explored the interactions between personal, social and environmental factors. The majority of the evidence is helpful in identifying correlates rather than determinants of active travel behaviour. Conclusions: In order to further our understanding of the influences of active travel, there is a need for more research which integrates both individual and environmental domains and examines how they interact.

Journal of Physical Activity and Health, In press

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