Health perception and commuting choice: a survey experiment measuring behavioral trade-offs between physical activity benefits and pollution exposure risks

Abstract Previous literature suggests that active commuting has substantial health benefits. Yet, in polluted regions, it can also cause additional risks by increasing riders’ pollution exposure and raising their inhalation rate. We examine the effect of perceived air on stated choices using an on-site survey experiment for 2285 non-automobile commuters Zhengzhou, a heavily city central China. integrate sequential randomized controlled trial where individuals treatment group received tailored information commuting-related exposure, based our 2 week peak-hour monitoring campaign across transportation modes city. find travelers Zhengzhou have already adopted prevention actions favoring indoor days. Individuals receiving personalized mode further decrease 8.4 percentage points (95% CI: 5.1, 11.6), accompanied 14.7 10.7, 18.3) increase automobile commuting. Travellers make sub-optimal, overly risk averse reducing even trips epidemiological research exercise benefits outweigh risks. This avoidance tendency significantly attenuates policies encouraging Our findings show intricately intertwined relationships between public targets promoting lifestyles individual societal mitigation.