title: Active commuting and perceptions of the route environment: a longitudinal analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess associations between changes in perceptions of the environment en route to work and changes in active commuting.
  
  
  METHODS
  655 commuters in Cambridge, UK reported perceptions of their commuting route and past-week commuting trips in postal questionnaires in 2009 and 2010. Associations between changes in route perceptions and changes in time spent walking and cycling, proportion of car trips, and switching to or from the car on the commute were modelled using multivariable regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Changes in only a few perceptions were associated with changes in travel behaviour. Commuters who reported that it became less pleasant to walk recorded a 6% (95% CI: 1, 11) net increase in car trips and a 12 min/week (95% CI: -1, -24) net decrease in walking. Increases in the perceived danger of cycling or of crossing the road were also associated with increases in car trips. Increases in the perceived convenience of public transport (OR: 3.31, 95% CI: 1.27, 8.63) or safety of cycling (OR: 3.70, 95% CI: 1.44, 9.50) were associated with taking up alternatives to the car.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions to improve the safety of routes and convenience of public transport may help promote active commuting and should be evaluated.
authors: Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit and UKCRC, Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK. Electronic address: jenna.panter@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk.
authors: Jenna
authors: J
authors: Panter
authors: Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit and UKCRC, Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Griffin
authors: Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit and UKCRC, Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Ogilvie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001642:Bicycling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014186:Transportation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Environment design; Health promotion; Physical activity; Walking