What does this mean?
Over the past year, our team at the Mobility Lab has been leading the development of a survey methodology to carry out a study in four cities: Pärnu (Estonia), Riga (Latvia), Espoo (Finland), and Gävle (Sweden). The goal of the survey is to understand which transport options people currently use, whether they are willing to change their mobility behaviour, and what the main barriers are to making that shift.
In Espoo and Gävle, the survey focuses on people working in selected study areas, while in Pärnu and Riga, the target group is local residents. As the project aims to support a shift towards more cycling and fewer car trips, the study will be conducted in two waves. Two years from now, a second survey will follow. This approach allows us to assess whether the mobility interventions implemented in the case study areas are noticed by people and whether they make a difference. These objectives have required special attention in both methodology design and sample formation.
Designing this survey has been a true collaboration. Leading this international process has been both exciting and, at times, challenging. However, it has given us a deep appreciation for our fantastic partners in city governments and universities, with major help from the University of Gävle, who have generously shared their local knowledge and context.
In addition to the travel survey, the project collects traffic counter data in the study areas, including cycling activity. Combining traffic counter data with the survey data will help with assessing greenhouse gas reductions in cities during the project period.
As the survey is still ongoing, we can’t yet share any results, but we’re already excited about the level of engagement. In Pärnu, for instance, we’ve received 524 responses from the 5,000 invitations that were sent out, reaching the target 10% response rate that was set as a minimum.
We’re looking forward to spending the summer exploring the data and sharing the first results in the upcoming Cycle4Climate Riga Forum in September!