It is clear that cities worldwide must make concerted efforts to encourage more people to choose sustainable modes of transportation—such as walking, cycling, and public transit—over cars and motorcycles. But what drives us to choose one mode of transport over another? What factors lie behind our choices? Are they, in fact, conscious decisions or merely "automatic habits"? Understanding this process is an important step toward promoting sustainable mobility.
Choosing a specific mode of transportation is the outcome of a process involving multiple variables, such as past experiences, our—not always reliable—memory, access to information, perceptions, beliefs, preferences, and the purpose of the trip itself. For instance, to many, cycling might not seem like a viable option for commuting to work or school. This may be due to the unpleasant prospect of arriving sweaty, unfamiliarity with the safest route, the lack of bike racks at the destination, or a combination of these and other factors.
