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

1. Thinking outside the bike:the challenge for truly connecting cycling! Liz Ampt November2003

2. Getting around a city … 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 Change Deciding to change behaviour to achieve a personal goal - without anyone telling you Several ways A B C D Personal Goal Continuing to behave differently because life is better (Sustainable change) Reinforcement Diffusion

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? • Moneysometimes motivates • Cultural and social values more important – even in ‘economic’ decisions • Money is not important for everyone • They can increase non-desired behaviours • Informationsometimes 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 • Attitudessometimes 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 easilyusage

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 …