Thread by @DIsaac8

This #CyclingScienceSunday, let's look at the attitudes of people who go car-free in a big city. 🧵

TL;DR: There are three main reasons - going green, health/wellbeing, and minimalism/convenience.

sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

#LdnOnt #BikeTO #CycleWR

The authors interviewed 24 people living in Brisbane, Australia, which is a large, low-density city with relatively little cycling infrastructure. Most participants drove before going car free, and all were legally able to drive.

Three key attitudes of car-free people emerged from the interviews: they were concerned with the environment, they wanted to be healthier and/or they wanted to live a minimalist lifestyle.

People who went car-free for environmental reasons reported feeling empowered, as they cut out unnecessary consumerist trips, leaving them more time for other activities. They also felt more connected to the environmental community.

Those who went car-free for health reasons regarded a car-oriented lifestyle as "unhealthy" and "lazy". They were generally younger and athletic. People who went car-free for other reasons were more likely to acknowledge other factors than laziness leading people to use cars.

Finally, people who gave up cars to live a minimalist lifestyle did so to avoid the stress and expense of owning a car, driving and finding parking. Giving up their car gave them time, freedom, and money for other activities.

Nearly all participants reported feeling strong social pressure to own a car, and many - particularly women - reported being told they were "lazy" for not owning a car. Most people reported that they overcame this pressure because they did not care what others thought about them.

The authors conclude by noting that there is no "typical" car-free person, and the reasons people go car-free are both collectivist (caring for the environment) and individual (health and minimalism). However, all were "mavericks" and were willing to defy social norms.

As environmental concerns were not the most common reason for choosing to go car-free, campaigns promoting sustainable travel should consider emphasizing health and lifestyle benefits rather than (or in addition to) environmental benefits.