During the last decade, as researcher, I developed and tested some health behavior change interventions to increase physical activity among adults in France and Canada. Now, I am focusing on behavior change in a “win-win” perspective, i.e., having benefits for health and climate change. Maybe, the best example of win-win behavior is the adoption of an electric bike (ebike) to commute.
In recent years, e-bike use is growing in Europe. This active travel mode is considered as a game changer for health and mobility for numerous reasons : the car/bike substitution effect is faster, more frequent use and longer distances are performed, e-bikes are more adopted by women and elderly people, and the mental and physical health benefits are similar among adults with or without chronic illness who adopt bicycle or e-bike as a mode of transport.
Consequently, I would develop the most effective ebike promotion intervention in the future years, even if Canadians winter are ‘relatively’ more challenging. - VIDEO HERE - I am at University of Limerick to examine the Inclusive Sustainable Cycling (ISCycle) trial conducted by Prof J.Green. It is a randomised controlled trial. Participants are randomised to one of three intervention groups (4-, 8-, or 12-week ebike loan + behaviour change techniques) or a waitlist control. This study is ongoing. I am taking advantage of James and Louise Foley's experience to develop a future interventional study. You can not imagine all the challenges associated with this type of study (recruitment, self-reported and device measures, type of collected data...).
This study is exceptional and unique, you should see all different ebikes (and cycling accessories) stored at UL: electric cargo bikes, electric folding bikes, long tail ebikes, and classic ebikes. It is designed to be inclusive by offering adapted ebikes!
I am lucky enough to be in Limerick for several months so that I can exchange to James and Louise, who are unbeatable when it comes to promoting ebikes.
Paquito Bernard earned his Ph.D in Kinesiology and Health Psychology from the University of Montellier (France). After being Adapted Physical Activity professional in a psychiatry department, he improved his research experience at University Hospital of Montpellier (France) to examine the effects of exercise and behavioural change techniques for smoking cessation in adults with current depressive disorders. He is associate professor at the Université of Québec à Montréal (Canada), and researcher at the University Institute of Mental Health at Montreal. His research activity focuses on the effects of physical activity on mental health, and the health behaviour change for a better health and livable planet.
Contact: bernard.paquito@uqam.ca