Environmental and Psychosocial Barriers to Active Commuting to University in a Spanish University Community

Isabel María Martín-López, Olalla García-Taibo (), Antoni Aguiló Pons and Pere Antoni Borràs Rotger
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Isabel María Martín-López: Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Research Group (GICAFE), Balearic Islands University, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Olalla García-Taibo: Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Research Group (GICAFE), Balearic Islands University, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Antoni Aguiló Pons: Global Health and Lifestyles Research Group (EVES), Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, IUNICS, Balearic Islands University, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Pere Antoni Borràs Rotger: Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Research Group (GICAFE), Balearic Islands University, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 5, 1-11

Abstract: (1) Background: Climate change and a sedentary lifestyle have been associated with negative effects on global health and sustainable development. Active commuting (AC) represents an important solution for mitigating global warming and improving health. Thus, policies that encourage this behavior could have an impact on health and sustainability. Therefore, the aims of this study were (a) to describe the mode of commuting in university staff and students; (b) to analyze the influences of this behavior; and (c) to compare perceived barriers by mode of commuting. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study with a descriptive design was conducted. In total, 384 university community members (79.4% students and 20.6% staff) were recruited via non-probability sampling and completed an online questionnaire. Mode of commuting, sociodemographic data, and perceived barriers were analyzed. (3) Results: Most of the sample commuted passively to university. This behavior was significantly higher in those who those lived in rural residences and a distance more than 15 km from the university, owned one vehicle, perceived higher psychosocial and environmental barriers, and were women. (4) Conclusions: Universities play a key role in health promotion and sustainable development. Therefore, they should design specific measures according to their characteristics, and barriers.

Keywords: sustainable development goals; health; active transportation; sustainable mobility; perceived barriers; higher education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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