Citation

Bélanger-Gravel A, Gauvin L, Fuller D, Drouin L. J. Phys. Act. Health 2014; 12(4): 477-482.

Affiliation

School of Public Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université de Montréal, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/jpah.2013-0206

PMID

24905364

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Favorable public opinion and support for policies are essential to favor the sustainability of environmental interventions. This study examined public perceptions and support for active living policies associated with implementing a public bicycle share program (PBSP).

METHODS: Two cross-sectional population-based telephone surveys were conducted in 2009 and 2010 among 5011 adults, in Montréal, Canada. Difference-in-differences analyses tested the impact of the PBSP on negative perceptions of the impact of the PBSP on the image of the city, road safety, ease of travelling, active transportation, health, and resistance to policies.

RESULTS: People living closer to docking stations were less likely to have negative perceptions of the effect of the PBSP on the image of the city (OR=0.5; 95%CI: 0.4, 0.8) and to be resistant to policies (OR=0.8; 95%CI: 0.6, 1.0). The likelihood of perceiving negative effects on road safety increased across time (OR=1.4; 95%CI: 1.2, 1.8). Significant interactions were observed for perceptions of ease of travelling (OR=0.5; 95%CI: 0.4, 0.8), active transportation (OR=0.6; 95%CI: 0.4, 1.0), and health (OR=0.6; 95%CI: 0.4, 0.8): likelihood of negative perceptions decreased across time among people exposed.

CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that negative perceptions were more likely to abate among those living closer to the PBSP.

Language: en