Neighbourhood socioeconomic disparities in active travel and car dependency in Australian urban settings

Transportation can be relevant to socioeconomic inequalities in health since engaging in different modes of daily travel has health implications. Studies of area-level socioeconomic variations in active travel (walking/cycling) have had mixed findings, and little research has investigated variations in car use. Using Australian travel survey data, we examined associations of neighbourhood-level socioeconomic status (SES) with active travel (walked/cycled ≥30 min/d without using cars) and car dependency (car use without walking/cycling). Data from 41,097 adult participants were analysed using multi-level logistic regression. Relative to the highest SES areas, living in the lowest SES areas was associated with lower odds of engaging in active travel, but this association was attenuated after adjusting for neighbourhoods' population density and distance to the nearest city centre. Living in the lowest SES areas was associated with greater odds of car dependency, even after adjusting for these environmental characteristics. Area-level linear regression examining the prevalence of active travel and car dependency in 337 suburbs produced similar results: There was a strong socioeconomic gradient in the prevalence of car dependency, with disadvantaged areas showing a greater prevalence. Transport and planning initiatives should address this unequal distribution of car dependency, which may exacerbate health disparities in cities. • Socioeconomic disparities in active travel and car dependency were examined. • Disadvantaged areas had lower odds of active travel (walk/cycle ≥30 min/d). • Disadvantaged areas had higher odds of car dependency (no walking/cycling). • The socioeconomic gradient was more pronounced for car dependency.