Active travel to work in NSW: trends over time and the effect of social advantage. (8th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zander, Alexis; Rissel, Chris; Rogers, Kris; Bauman, Adrian
• Is Part Of: Health promotion journal of Australia. Volume 25:Number 3(2014)
• Page Start: 167
• Page End: 173
• Publication Date: 2014-12-08
• Subjects: Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health promotion -- Australia -- Periodicals; 613.0994
• DOI: 10.1071/HE14004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1036-1073

Abstract

Abstract : Issues addressed: Active travel can increase population levels of physical activity, but should be promoted equitably. Socioeconomic advantage, housing location and/or car ownership influence walking and cycling (active travel) for transport. We examined active commuting over time in the Sydney Greater Metropolitan Region, and associations between active commuting and socioeconomic advantage, urban/rural location and car ownership at a Local Government Area (LGA) level across New South Wales (NSW). Methods: Journey to work data from the 2001, 2006 and 2011 Australian Census were examined. Associations between levels of active commuting in each LGA in NSW and the Socio‐Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA), Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) and car ownership were examined using negative binomial regression modelling. Results: Between 2001 and 2011, active commuting increased in inner Sydney (relative increase of 24%), decreased slightly in outer Sydney (declined 5.1%) and declined in the Greater Metropolitan Region (down 15%). Overall, active commuting increased slightly (6.8% relative increase). After adjusting for the LGA age and sex profile and all other LGA variables, people living in NSW LGAs with high socioeconomic status, more rural areas and low car ownership were more likely to cycle or walk to work. Conclusions: More needs to be done in NSW to increase levels of active commuting consistently across regions and sociodemographic groups. So what?: Despite small increases in active travel in the Sydney region, active travel patterns are not evenly distributed across locations or populations. Abstract : Socioeconomic advantage, housing location and car ownership influence active travel for transport. Between 2001 and 2011, active commuting rose in inner Sydney, decreased slightly in outer Sydney and declined in the Greater Metropolitan Region. People living in high socioeconomic areas, more rural areas and areas with lower car ownership are more likely to actively commute. More needs to be done in New South Wales consistently across regions and socio‐demographic groups to increase levels of active commuting.