PREVALENCE OF ACTIVE TRANSPORT USE AND FACTORS CONDITIONING IT

Context/Purpose. The importance of physical activity in achieving the goals of sustainable development is recognized, but there is still a lack of research that analyzes the factors that help to explain a person's behavior related to the use of active transport (AT; all forms of human travel by non-motorized means). The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of AT use and the individual factors that are associated with it among young Lithuanian adults. Methods. 250 respondents participated in the study. AT prevalence was measured by item based on Stages of Change model and identified the proportion of people in each of the stages of change in terms of AT. Theory of Planned Behavior-based questionnaire was used to identify attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and intention to use AT. Environmentally friendly attitudes were measured by the Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire. Results. It was found that 12% of the respondents prefer AT when choosing a mode of travel and do so regularly. Unemployed and employed people more often regularly use AT than students and those on paternity leave (χ2=29.196; p<.05); respondents who are single choose AT more often than those with a spouse or partner (χ2=10.901; p<.05); respondents who have their own scooter use AT more often than those who do not (χ2=17.561; p<.05). Significant relationships were found between greater involvement in AT and attitudes favorable to AT (r=.170, p<.05), attitudes favorable to environmental protection (r=.134; p<.05), subjective norms regarding AT (r=.159; p<.05), perceived behavioral control (r=.351; p<.05) and intention to use AT (r=.445; p<.05). Interpretation. The increasing awareness of the health and environmental benefits of AT encourages people to replace motor vehicles with AT. Conclusion. The use of AT is associated with favorable attitudes towards sustainable development, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control.