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Using behavioral insights to incentivize cycling: Results from a field experiment

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  • Ciccone, A.
  • Fyhri, A.
  • Sundfør, H.B.

Abstract

Motivating active transport is a health and environmental policy priority, and plays an important role in achieving the necessary shift toward a sustainable transport system. Financial incentives to promote cycling are used in many countries, but very few studies document causal effects. Using a randomized controlled trial in the field, we provide causal evidence of the effect of different types of economics incentives on cycling activity in Norway. Participants’ mobility is monitored through an innovative mobile app that registers travel behavior automatically. Results show that both a flat rate and a conditional lottery motivate people to cycle more. Compared to the control group, participants who received an economic incentive cycled 36% more and 18% more often. The conditional lottery appears to be an effective and economically efficient solution and the only treatment with a lasting effect after the incentives were removed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ciccone, A. & Fyhri, A. & Sundfør, H.B., 2021. "Using behavioral insights to incentivize cycling: Results from a field experiment," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 1035-1058.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:188:y:2021:i:c:p:1035-1058
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2021.06.011
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    Cited by:

    1. Nosratzadeh, Hossein & Bhowmick, Debjit & Carmona, Ana Belén Ríos & Thompson, Jason & Thai, Thao & Pearson, Lauren & Beck, Ben, 2024. "A scoping review of the design and characteristics of e-bike financial incentives," OSF Preprints 5xgch, Center for Open Science.
    2. Piras, Francesco & Sottile, Eleonora & Tuveri, Giovanni & Meloni, Italo, 2021. "Could psychosocial variables help assess pro-cycling policies?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 108-128.
    3. Adam, Matthieu & Sayagh, David & Buhler, Thomas, 2024. "Preaching to the converted? Socially unequal reception of a bike repair subsidy in France," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 31-39.
    4. Nenad Djokic & Nikola Milicevic & Branimir Kalas & Ines Djokic & Vera Mirovic, 2023. "E-Bicycle as a Green and Physically Active Mode of Transport from the Aspect of Students: TPB and Financial Incentives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-11, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic incentives; Field experiment; Randomized controlled trial; Cycling; Smart mobility; Sustainable transport;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Hypothesis Testing: General
    • C8 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs
    • C9 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • H3 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • R4 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics

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