Motivations and barriers to utilizing adult walking buses: An examination of demographic correlates of willingness to participate in a community-based walking program

Abstract

Walking\rbuses are a way to increase physical activity by encouraging people to walk\rrather than rely on motorized forms of transportation. Several communities\rsupport walking school buses as an alternative mode of pupil transportation\rto schools. A possible extension of this concept is the introduction of adult\rwalking buses. Given the novelty of the concept, very little is currently\rknown about the public’s perceptions regarding adult walking buses and their potential effectiveness to increase physical activity and decrease obesity among\radults. To bridge this gap, this study examined motivations and barriers to\rparticipation in an adult walking bus program in Birmingham, Alabama using a comprehensive questionnaire survey. Analysis of over 340 responses revealed a\rpositive reception of the concept among the survey responders. More\rspecifically, 60.1% of the sample reported they would definitely or probably\rparticipate in a walking bus program. Results from nested ordinal logistic\rregression analysis indicate that health benefits are the strongest motivation\rfor willingness to participate in a walking bus program. Sensitivity to environmental\rissues is also a significant predictor of willingness to participate across\rmodels. The most significant barrier to willingness to participate in a\rwalking bus program is limited time. The significance of demographic\rvariables (obesity, race/ ethnicity, and age) as predictors of willingness to\rparticipate is reduced once motivations and barriers are controlled. In conclusion,\rthe positive response to the program among our sample is encouraging and\rsuggests that adult walking buses should be explored further as an active\ralternative transportation option with a potential to improve the health and\rwellbeing of participants.