Examining the Link Between Public Transit Use and Active Commuting

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Melissa Bopp²  Vikash V. Gayah¹  Matthew E. Campbell² 

[1] Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; E-Mail:;Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; E-Mail:

关键词: active transportation;    public transit;    physical activity;    health;    commuting;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph120404256

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Background: An established relationship exists between public transportation (PT) use and physical activity. However, there is limited literature that examines the link between PT use and active commuting (AC) behavior. This study examines this link to determine if PT users commute more by active modes. Methods: A volunteer, convenience sample of adults (n = 748) completed an online survey about AC/PT patterns, demographic, psychosocial, community and environmental factors. t-test compared differences between PT riders and non-PT riders. Binary logistic regression analyses examined the effect of multiple factors on AC and a full logistic regression model was conducted to examine AC. Results: Non-PT riders (n = 596) reported less AC than PT riders. There were several significant relationships with AC for demographic, interpersonal, worksite, community and environmental factors when considering PT use. The logistic multivariate analysis for included age, number of children and perceived distance to work as negative predictors and PT use, feelings of bad weather and lack of on-street bike lanes as a barrier to AC, perceived behavioral control and spouse AC were positive predictors. Conclusions: This study revealed the complex relationship between AC and PT use. Further research should investigate how AC and public transit use are related.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.