Environmental health literacy among urban cyclists: insights from a citizen science study in Ljubljana

Introduction Urban cyclists are exposed to urban environmental stressors such as air and noise pollution, yet little is known about how they engage with environmental health information in everyday commuting contexts. This study examined environmental health literacy (EHL) among urban cyclists participating in a citizen science intervention in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Methods The Urban Cycling Lab combined personal environmental sensing with participatory engagement over a two-week monitoring period per participant. Cyclists used PM 2 . 5 and noise sensing devices during regular commuting trips and accessed geo-coded exposure data through a custom-built visualization platform. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, this study integrated survey data from 205 participants, ride-along interviews (n = 10), exit field notes, and a Ripple Effects Mapping workshop (n = 21). Quantitative findings characterized dimensions of EHL, while qualitative analyses explored how cyclists engaged with environmental exposure information within everyday commuting practices. Results Participants reported moderate concern regarding environmental pollution although most had not previously considered environmental exposure in route selection. Exposure monitoring increased awareness of environmental conditions, particularly noise, and encouraged exploration of spatial exposure variability across commuting routes. However, environmentally informed mobility practices emerged as ongoing negotiations between environmental concerns, convenience, safety, and infrastructural constraints. Participants emphasized exposure reduction as dependent on supportive infrastructures, including green corridors, car-free routes, cyclist-oriented design, and mobility education. Conclusions Citizen science approaches may support EHL by fostering awareness, self-efficacy and collective action. Environmentally informed mobility practices depend not only on individual awareness, but also on supportive urban infrastructures and mobility systems.