The economic geography of active commuting: Regional insights from Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract

Historically in New Zealand, car travel has replaced walking and cycling among commuters as wage rates have risen. However, time-series data from the Wellington region show the relationship between income and active commuting differs from the historical trend. While higher incomes do allow people to purchase motorized transport, they also allow workers to purchase shorter commutes and to integrate active modes with public transport. As a result, the probability of active commuting rises with income. Raising urban density can help stem some of the negative environmental and health effects of rising affluence.