mobility coaching - Lundby Mobility Centre - Göteborg

IntroductionIn April 2006, motorists in Lundby were giventhe chance to take part in a new travel coachproject. The innovative aspect of the project wasthat the goal was to change behaviour ratherthan just changing attitudes to travel. The targetgroup for the project comprised motoristswho used their car 5–7 days a week, i.e. peoplewho basically used no other means of transportthan their car. Participants were assistedby a coach to set their own goals and keep theirmotivation up.68 people participated actively in theproject, which ran between August 2006 andFebruary 2007. Participants signed an agreementwith the Traffic & Public Transport Authority/LundbyMobility Centre whereby theyundertook to leave the car behind and to walk,cycle or take public transport at least three timesa week. In turn Lundby Mobility Centre agreedto support and encourage the participants tohelp ensure they managed to fulfil their side ofthe agreement. In addition to the coach, two coordinatorswere available day-to-day for practicalissues and to encourage and challenge theparticipants.20 people were coached individually. Theystarted the project with a private talk to thecoach and their co-ordinator. 45 people met ingroup sessions also involving a coach and coordinator.The participants divided themselvesinto three sub-groups based on what type ofpeople they considered themselves to be:• Challenge me• Put pressure on me• Lazy/comfortableParticipants tested their fitness, weight andmuscle mass at the start and end of the project,and kept a travel diary to clarify their travelbehaviour. They were offered lectures on diet,movement and personal motivation, as well ashelp in finding public transport routes and gettingaround to visiting the cycle repair shop.The project is part of Lundby Mobility Centre’sEU project BUSTRIP. The project involves 12European cities in countries around the BalticSea.EvaluationThe project has been evaluated both throughsurveys and through interviews in order to assessvarious effects. Participants completed aquestionnaire survey both before and after theproject to enable comparisons to be made. Personalinterviews were carried out with some ofthe participants, as well as the people responsiblefor the project, the organisers (a coach, a coordinatorand the project manager). Participantsalso underwent two health checks before andafter the project to assess whether the projecthad led to changes in health. The main resultsfrom this evaluation are presented here.Aim of the project:To change behaviour.3