Association of Sociodemographic and Perceived Environmental Factors with Public Bicycle Use among Taiwanese Urban Adults.

Yung Liao

doi:10.3390/ijerph13030340

Abstract

Background: This study examined the sociodemographic and perceived environmental factors associated with public bicycle use among Taiwanese urban adults. Methods: A random-digit-dialing telephone-based cross-sectional survey was administered to Taiwanese urban adults aged 20–64 years in 2015. Data on sociodemographic variables, perceived environmental factors (for attributes identified in the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Environmental Module), and public bicycle use were obtained from 1002 adults in three cities. Adjusted logistic regression was used. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, the results showed that adults aged 20–29 years (odds ratio (OR) = 4.42) with a university degree or higher (OR = 2.03) were more likely to use public bicycles. In addition, adults living in Kaohsiung City were less likely to use public bicycles (OR = 0.24). Adults who saw people being active (OR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.05–2.86) and had positive aesthetic experiences of their environment (OR = 1.69) were more likely to use public bicycles. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that seeing physically active people and positive aesthetic perceptions of the environment are key factors for developing transportation policies and intervention strategies for promoting public bicycle use among Taiwanese urban adults.

Highlights

Cycling is associated with cardiorespiratory fitness and reduced risks of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular and colon cancer morbidity, and the incidence of overweight and obesity in adults [1].In contrast to other forms of exercise and leisure-time physical activity, cycling is easier to adopt and maintain in adults’ daily routines, and allows farther travel than walking does [2,3]
The findings have crucial implications for identifying potential environmental and policy interventions, suggesting that targeting adults who are older and have lower levels of education, especially those living in Kaohsiung City, as well as optimizing neighborhood aesthetics and increasing the visibility of people being active may be effective for promoting public bicycle use in urban adult populations
The present study revealed two aspects of perceived environmental attributes associated with higher levels of public bicycle use: seeing people being active and positive aesthetic experiences of the environment

Summary

Introduction

Cycling is associated with cardiorespiratory fitness and reduced risks of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular and colon cancer morbidity, and the incidence of overweight and obesity in adults [1].In contrast to other forms of exercise and leisure-time physical activity, cycling is easier to adopt and maintain in adults’ daily routines, and allows farther travel than walking does [2,3]. The use of public bicycles has been associated with higher levels of physical activity [7,9,10], as well as improvement of air quality and reduced congestion [8]. It plays an essential role in urban transportation systems, providing short-to-medium trip lengths (1–5 km) with low trip costs compared with other travel modes [3]. This study examined the sociodemographic and perceived environmental factors associated with public bicycle use among Taiwanese urban adults.

Methods

Results

Conclusion