Under the Hood—Transport Mode Perception Differences Between Urban and Suburban Residents: A Comparison of Quebec City Region (Canada) and Three Swiss Cities

This research aims to explore the difference in perceptions of transport modes between suburban and urban residents of the Quebec City region (Canada). Additionally, the study aims to compare its findings with those from three Swiss cities (Lausannne, Geneva and Bern), where a similar questionnaire was administered. This research involved a survey conducted among the population of the Quebec City Metropolitan Region, using an adapted and localized version of the Swiss questionnaire. The survey was administered to a statistically representative online panel (n = 1243) and was stratified between urban and suburban respondents. Findings indicate that, while urban residents held a generally positive view of automobiles, this perception was less favorable compared to that of suburban residents. Both urban and suburban residents exhibited similar perceptions regarding public transit. However, urban residents regarded bicycles as a practical mode of transportation while suburbanites did not. In contrast to their European counterparts in Swiss cities, residents of the Quebec City region displayed a markedly more favorable perception of the automobile and a less favorable perception of public transit and cycling.