Färdvägsmiljöer vid cykling för transport
En studie av en modell om uppfattningar av färdvägsmiljön hos cyklister
Route environmentEnvironmental well-beingActive commutingAktiv transportFärdvägsmiljöMiljömässigt välbefinnandeArbetspendling
SummaryAimThe study examines a theoretical model developed to capture cyclist´s perceptions of the route environment. The survey focuses on if level two and three in the theoretical model captures what it´s intended to do. More specific we ask ourselves how the three appraisals (unsafe/safe by traffic reasons, stimulating/inhibiting route environment, unsafe/safe by other reasons) in the model´s second level relates among themselves and if these three appraisals can capture the degree of environmental well-being/unwell-being in the model´s third level. The questions were: Do the three appraisals differ among themselves? What is the difference/-s in such cases? And, is there a correlation between any of the three appraisals and environmental unwell-being/well-being? What is the correlation in such case? MethodThe gathering of data was done through questionnaires. The participants got to assess their perceptions of four photographs on route environments. The assessment was done by four questions too each photograph. The four appraisals in the theoretical model about the route environment, which the study is based on, have formed the basis for respectively question. The four questions read: ?How unsafe/safe by traffic reasons would you feel in this route environment?? ([1] unsafe/safe by traffic reasons). ?To what extent do you assess that this route environment would stimulate/inhibit your cycling?? ([2] stimulating/inhibiting route environment). ?How unsafe/safe by other reasons than traffic would you feel in this route environment?? ([3] unsafe/safe by other reasons) and ?How would you assess your environmental well-being/unwell-being in this route environment?? ([4] environmental well-being/unwell-being). To rate the photographs The ACRES (Active Commuting Route Environment Scale) 15-degree point scale has been used. 157 students from The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, aged from 19 to 43 years, were included in the study, of which 62 students were males (mean age: 24,3 years) and 95 students were females (mean age: 23,4 years). The data was analyzed with Pearsons correlation analysis, dependent t-test and multiple regression. ResultsThe dependent t-test analysis showed that there was a significant difference in assessments between all of the appraisals for photography 1, 2, and 3. Photograph 4 showed a significant difference in assessments between the appraisals [1] unsafe/safe by traffic reasons and [2] stimulating/inhibiting route environment and between [1] unsafe/safe by traffic reasons and [3] unsafe/safe by other reasons. However, no significant difference was shown between [2] stimulating/inhibiting route environment and [3] unsafe/safe by other reasons. The correlation matrices for each photograph showed a significant correlation between [4] environmental well-being/unwell-being and the three appraisals. However, the multiple regression analysis showed no significant correlation between the appraisals [1] unsafe/safe by traffic reasons and [4] environmental well-being/unwell-being. This applies for all four photographs. ConclusionAppraisal [1] unsafe/safe by traffic reasons seems to be distinguished from the other two appraisals. Appraisal [3] unsafe/safe by other reasons and appraisal [2] stimulating/inhibiting route environment may possibly be distinguished from each other. The appraisals [2] stimulating/inhibiting route environment and [3] unsafe/safe by other reasons may have an effect on [4] environmental well-being/unwell-being during cycling. Appraisal [2] and [3] can to 30-57% explain the changes of [4] environmental well-being/unwell-being during cycling of the four route environments that were assessed in this study. Appraisal [1] Unsafe/safe by traffic reasons does not seem to have an effect on the degree of [4] environmental well-being/unwell-being during cycling. With that being said level 2 and 3 of the theoretical model about the route environment do partially work. This study was an attempt, through photographs, examine a theoretical model about the route environment but more studies are needed to explore uncertainties of this model.