Effectiveness of interventions for modal shift to walking and bike riding: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Pearson Lauren , Page Matthew J , Gerhard Robyn , Clarke Nyssa , Winters Meghan , Bauman Adrian , Arogundade Laolu , Beck Ben 
Published: July 2024

Objective

To assess the efficacy of interventions aimed at increasing walking and cycling.

Design

Systematic review with meta-analysis

Study selection

The electronic databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched from inception on 22ndMay 2023. Eligible study designs included randomised and non-randomised studies of interventions with specific study design features that enabled estimation of causality. No restrictions on type of outcome measurement, publication date or population age were applied.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two reviewers independently extracted data and conducted quality assessment with Joanna Briggs Quality Assessment tools. Studies were categorised by intervention types described within the Behaviour Change Wheel. Where possible, random-effects meta-analyses were used to synthesise results within intervention types.

Main outcome measures

The main outcome of interest was modal shift to active modes (walking and cycling). Other outcomes of interest included cycling and walking duration, frequency and counts, active transport duration and frequency, and moderate to vigorous physical activity duration (MVPA).

Results

106 studies that assessed the impact of an intervention on walking, cycling or active transport overall were included. Findings demonstrate that physical environmental restructure interventions, such as protected bike lanes and traffic calming infrastructure, were effective in increasing cycling duration (OR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.20 – 2.22; 2 studies). Other intervention types, including individually tailored behavioural programmes, and provision of e-bikes were also effective for increasing cycling frequency (OR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.23-1.43; 1 study) and duration (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.02.-1.22, 1 study). An intensive education programme intervention demonstrated a positive impact on walking duration (OR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.68 – 2.21; 1 study). An individually tailored behavioural programme (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.08 – 1.40; 3 studies) and community walking programme (OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.14 – 1.17; 1 study) also increased the odds of increased walking duration. This body of research would benefit from more rigour in study design to limit lower quality evidence with the potential for bias.

Conclusions

This review provides evidence for investment in high-quality active transportation infrastructure, such as protected bike lanes, to improve cycling and active transport participation overall. It also provides evidence for investment in other non-infrastructure interventions. Further research to understand which combinations of intervention types are most effective for modal shift are needed. Active transport research needs to include more robust trials and evaluations with consistent outcome measures to improve quality of evidence and provide evidence on which interventions (or combinations of interventions) are most effective.

Study registration

PROSPERO CRD42023445982

Funding

This research was funded through the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Canada. The research funders did not contribute to the research process or interpretation of findings. The researchers were independent from the funders. Lauren Pearson receives salary support from the National Health and Medical Research Council (GNT2020155). Ben Beck receives an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (FT210100183).