Citation

Line T, Chatterjee K, Lyons G. J. Transp. Geogr. 2010; 18(2): 238-246.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2009.05.001

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article examines the factors influencing the future travel behaviour intentions of young people (aged 11-18), with specific attention given to how climate change considerations affect these. Overall it is found that the participants' travel behaviour intentions are dominated by a desire to drive and that their values relating to identity, self-image, and social recognition (at the expense of their environmental values), as well as their affective attitudes towards transport modes, are key influences on this. Although they are aware of climate change, the participants' understanding of the link between transport and climate change was weak. At the same time, they illustrated an apathy towards climate change - in part due to the timing and intangibility of its associated impacts and their lack of self-efficacy with respect to tackling this issue. However, despite claiming that their current environmentally friendly travel behaviours (such as walking or cycling to school) are not influenced by the issue of climate change, a number are accepting of the idea of enforced travel behaviour change - away from use of the car, towards more 'environmentally friendly' modes. This acceptance was in part due to their belief that such action would remove the influence of the 'social dilemma', where their own efforts to tackle climate change may be rendered worthless by the inaction of others.