Promoting sustainable active transport using multi-level interventions

Extensive reviews of literature have shown that the determinants of active travel are environmental, psychological and social (e.g., Bauman et al. 2012, Garrard, 2009). Therefore, interventions to improve levels of active transport must address all of these, equally. Unfortunately, few do, and therefore they not effective use of public funds. Research and practice in promoting physical activity has consistently emphasised the need to intervene at four levels to achieve sustainable change: 1. individual, 2. group/social, 3. environmental and 4. policy. “Multi-level interventions based on ecological models and targeting individuals, social environments, physical environments and policies must be implemented to achieve population change’ (Sallis et al., 2006, p. 298). Huge improvements in road safety have been achieved by doing this, e.g., 1. improved driver education and testing; 2. targeted media campaigns; 3. improved road and car quality and design; 4. enforcement (speed, seat-belts, drink driving). It is clear that 1 and 2 would be ineffective on their own and have only short-term impacts, though they are the easier and cheaper options. Furthermore, road safety interventions have been on-going, continuous, multi-agency, generously funded, and steered by a single-focus agency (the Road Safety Authority). Using examples, this presentation will outline the best way to create conducive environments, change social norms, improve individual attitudes and underlie all of this with appropriate policy, at organisational, local and national levels. The overall effect is to put up barriers (environmental, psychological and social) to unwanted behaviour and remove barriers (environmental, psychological and social) to wanted behaviour.