Correlates of active or car commuting in short trips: associations of health and climate concern

Active commuting (walking or cycling) benefits both health and the environment, yet uptake remains limited. This study investigates the barriers and motivators of active commuting and car use among Finnish adults, using data from the cross-sectional CLIMATE NUDGE survey. The sample included full-time workers with a commute distance of 10 km or less (N = 534). Active commuting and car commuting habits were categorized to never, sometimes or always uses this commute mode for each participant. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze association of 27 factors with active commuting and car commuting. Those factors included climate change related variables, social norm, work-related factors, different subjective barriers and motivators, and a set of relevant background variables. After controlling commute distance and perceived travel duration, urban residence was associated with decreased odds of habitual car use. Health-related motivation consistently distinguished the most active commuters from the most passive ones, while climate-related concern was associated primarily with reduced car use, possibly reflecting a stronger link between environmental messaging and driving behavior in comparison to active commuting. The results emphasize the need to recognize different factors being associated with reduced car use and increased active commuting, and the multifaceted nature of motivators and barriers that shape the commute choices.