Socio-Ecological Natural Experiment with Randomized Controlled Trial to Promote Active Commuting to Work: Process Evaluation, Behavioral Impacts, and Changes in the Use and Quality of Walking and Cycling Paths

Aittasalo, Minna; Tiilikainen, Johanna; Tokola, Kari; Suni, Jaana; Sievänen, Harri; Vähä‐Ypyä, Henri; Vasankari, Tommi; Seimelä, Timo; Metsäpuro, Pasi; Foster, Charlie; Titze, Sylvia

doi:10.3390/ijerph16091661

Cited by 23 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 57 publications

(83 reference statements)

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“…Table 1 presents the characteristics of included studies categorized by the outcome of interest. Twenty studies presented data on cycling behavior [23–42], and 16 studies assessed usage of the cycling infrastructure [23, 29, 31, 38, 42–53]. All infrastructural interventions were conducted in urban areas in high-income countries.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The interventions were very diverse in terms of design and scale, ranging from the introduction of a cycling bridge, single or multiple cycle paths or lanes, or a city-wide cycling network. Six studies (5 interventions) described issues related to data collection due to delays in the construction work, resulting in shorter follow-up periods than planned [23, 31–34, 39]. In addition to this, three studies (2 interventions) mentioned that the intervention was not fully completed within the study time frame [31, 33, 34].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Twenty studies presented data on 52 cycling behavior outcomes. All but two [23, 32], found an increase in cycling for at least 1 outcome, and 73% (38/52) of all outcomes presented were in favor of the intervention. A total of 36 cycling behavior outcomes were used to quantitatively summarize the results.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The facilities might be the effect, rather than the cause, of high cycling levels• The increase in cycling in the intervention area was larger than observed in the area as a wholeNo other methods usedLanzendorf [37] (Germany)CParticipation and representativeness were not shown.No comparison groupNational travel survey, valid for comparison over time according to the authorsNot applicable• Hard to disentangle the effects of the infrastructure and marketing campaigns. A combination of both may have the largest impact• The increase in cycling in the intervention cities was comparable to the change in other big cities, but larger than in the country as a whole• Document analysis and expert interview to analyze the development of cycling policiesMerom [38] (US)AParticipation: 48% Representativeness was not shown.Not adjusted for characteristics in which the groups statistically differed at baselineTelephone interviews, validated79%No comments madeNo other comparison groups• Survey among residents• Bike counts• Campaign reachPanter [39] (UK)AParticipation was not shown.The sample contained a higher percentage of woman, older adults and those with a degree, and a smaller proportion of those who rented their homeAdjusted for a wide range of variables7-day recall instrument with acceptable validitySurvey, validated41%• Dose response effects were reportedNo other comparison groups• Published protocol• Survey among residentsHealth indicators:• Physical activityPedroso [40] (US)BParticipation and representativeness were not shownNo comparison groupCensus data, methods not describedNot applicable• Several other programs and interventions were implemented during the study periodNo other comparison groups• Safety monitoringSmith [41] (US)CParticipation and representativeness were not shownNo comparison groupMethods not describedNot applicable• The percentage of cyclists using bike lanes declined over timeNo other comparison groups• Safety monitoringWilmink and Hartman [42] (The Netherlands)AParticipation and representativeness were not shownNo information on comparabilityHome interview, no info on validityNot shown• There was no change observed in total mobility over timeNo other comparison groups• Survey among residents• Bike countsUsage of the infrastructureAittasalo [23] (Finland)CNot applicableNo...…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…None of the studies included a neutral outcome which was hypothesized to be unaffected by the new infrastructure designed to promote cycling, thereby functioning as a control measure that captures time trends in transportation or physical activity behaviors. Complementing methodologies performed were surveys among residents [24–29, 31–34, 38, 39, 42] or employees [23], intercept surveys among infrastructure users [27], surveys among new residents who moved into the study area [27], and bike counts in the study area [23, 29, 31, 38, 42].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A systematic review of the effect of infrastructural interventions to promote cycling: strengthening causal inference from observational data

Mölenberg

Panter

Burdorf

et al. 2019

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

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BackgroundPrevious reviews have suggested that infrastructural interventions can be effective in promoting cycling. Given inherent methodological complexities in the evaluation of such changes, it is important to understand whether study results obtained depend on the study design and methods used, and to describe the implications of the methods used for causality. The aims of this systematic review were to summarize the effects obtained in studies that used a wide range of study designs to assess the effects of infrastructural interventions on cycling and physical activity, and whether the effects varied by study design, data collection methods, or statistical approaches.MethodsSix databases were searched for studies that evaluated infrastructural interventions to promote cycling in adult populations, such as the opening of cycling lanes, or the expansion of a city-wide cycling network. Controlled and uncontrolled studies that presented data before and after the intervention were included. No language or date restrictions were applied. Data was extracted for any outcome presented (e.g. bikes counted on the new infrastructure, making a bike trip, cycling frequency, cycling duration), and for any purpose of cycling (e.g. total cycling, recreational cycling, cycling for commuting). Data for physical activity outcomes and equity effects was extracted, and quality assessment was conducted following previous methodologies and the UK Medical Research Council guidance on natural experiments. The PROGRESS-Plus framework was used to describe the impact on subgroups of the population.Studies were categorized by outcome, i.e. changes in cycling behavior, or usage of the cycling infrastructure. The relative change was calculated to derive a common outcome across various metrics and cycling purposes. The median relative change was presented to evaluate whether effects differed by methodological aspects.ResultsThe review included 31 studies and all were conducted within urban areas in high-income countries. Most of the evaluations found changes in favor of the intervention, showing that the number of cyclists using the facilities increased (median relative change compared to baseline: 62%; range: 4 to 438%), and to a lesser extent that cycling behavior increased (median relative change compared to baseline: 22%; range: − 21 to 262%). Studies that tested for statistical significance and studies that used subjective measurement methods (such as surveys and direct observations of cyclists) found larger changes than those that did not perform statistical tests, and those that used objective measurement methods (such as GPS and accelerometers, and automatic counting stations). Seven studies provided information on changes of physical activity behaviors, and findings were mixed. Three studies tested for equity effects following the opening of cycling infrastructure.ConclusionsStudy findings of natural experiments evaluating infrastructural interventions to promote cycling depended on the methods used and the approach to analysis. Stu...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

A systematic review of the effect of infrastructural interventions to promote cycling: strengthening causal inference from observational data

Mölenberg

Panter

Burdorf

et al. 2019

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

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Workplace pedometer interventions for increasing physical activity

Freak‐Poli

Cumpston

Albarqouni

et al. 2020

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

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BackgroundThe World Health Organization and the World Economic Forum have recommended further research to strengthen current knowledge of workplace health programmes, particularly on effectiveness and using simple instruments. A pedometer is one such simple instrument that can be incorporated in workplace interventions. ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness of pedometer interventions in the workplace for increasing physical activity and improving subsequent health outcomes. Search methods Electronic searches of the CochraneCentral Register of Controlled Trials (671 potential papers), MEDLINE (1001), Embase (965), CINAHL (1262), OSH UPDATE databases (75) and Web of Science (1154) from the earliest record to between 30th January and 6th February 2012 yielded 3248 unique records. Reference lists of articles yielded an additional 34 papers. Contact with individuals and organisations did not produce any further records. Selection criteriaWe included individual and cluster-randomised controlled trials of workplace health promotion interventions with a pedometer component in employed adults. The primary outcome was physical activity and was part of the eligibility criteria. We considered subsequent health outcomes, including adverse effects, as secondary outcomes. Data collection and analysisTwo review authors undertook the screening of titles and abstracts and the full-text papers independently. Two review authors (RFP and MC) independently completed data extraction and risk of bias assessment. We contacted authors to obtain additional data and clarification.

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Managing Urban Traffic Emissions with Focus on People and Atmospheric Impacts

Hulkkonen

Prisle

2021

Handbook of Climate Change Management

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With a growing majority of the world's population residing in cities, it is vital to advance a shift to low-emission urban mobility in order to mitigate climate change. Despite the fundamental role played by infrastructure, daily decisions and routines of individuals ultimately generate traffic. When people choose a conventionally fuelled private car, it causes externalities detrimental for both individuals and the urban system as a whole: congestion, noise, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution. Empirical studies show that the awareness of and exposure to those do not provide enough motivation for people to shift to more sustainable travel modes. Convenience overpowers environmental values. To break the habits and manage emissions, authorities must deploy incentives or sanctions -structural, regulative, economic, persuasive -that can increase the comparative advantage of low-carbon traffic modes. The potential of different initiatives to reduce traffic emissions is invaluable information for decision makers. Our contribution investigates the variety of possible ways to advance the desired shift, and highlights the importance, challenges and key factors of high quality impact evaluations . A functional approach to test and evaluate traffic initiatives is multidisciplinary, with ways to quantify people's behavior and preferences, traffic emerging from them, and the resulting atmospheric emissions. By shedding light on reliable approaches to reveal the real impacts of traffic initiatives, the efforts for climate change management may be reinforced.

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Socio-Ecological Natural Experiment with Randomized Controlled Trial to Promote Active Commuting to Work: Process Evaluation, Behavioral Impacts, and Changes in the Use and Quality of Walking and Cycling Paths

Cited by 23 publications

References 57 publications

A systematic review of the effect of infrastructural interventions to promote cycling: strengthening causal inference from observational data

A systematic review of the effect of infrastructural interventions to promote cycling: strengthening causal inference from observational data

Workplace pedometer interventions for increasing physical activity

Managing Urban Traffic Emissions with Focus on People and Atmospheric Impacts

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