Delivering Behaviour Change Techniques via Short Text Messages to Promote Active Travel

Active travel has many benefits for both individuals and societies. While the number of interventions aiming to promote active increases, it is usually not easy deliver those interventions, identify ‘active components’ them, and/or replicate them. The current paper reports two studies testing that used SMS messages behaviour change techniques (BCTs) based on Control Theory (i.e., goal-setting (behaviour), action planning, self-monitoring behaviour). Study 1 sought increase use a bike share scheme. Participants were randomly assigned one three experimental groups received BCTs (n = 26), BCT 29), or no 40) followed up month later. effect intervention was significant when combined compared control group. 2 tested an decrease car use. allocated receive 29) versus 32). marginally significant. results suggest delivering via message may be travel, although underpowered. Given relative ease low cost psychosocial messages, potential public health impact at population level is, nonetheless, likely important.