In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, research from the Voorhees Transportation Center (VTC) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, has brought about two studies that explore how physical activity habits have changed in New Jersey. These studies offer insights into pandemic-driven shifts in active travel. Understanding these behavioral changes can inform urban planning and workplace policies, promoting healthier and more sustainable lifestyles in a post-pandemic era.
Article 1: Working from Home and Walking During and After COVID
The research team for this study explored the impact of the pandemic on walking behavior. They examined date from the winter peaks of 2020-21 and 2021-22 and found a notable increase in walking during the pandemic. Those working from home demonstrated a significant surge—9 to 13 percent more than those working outside their homes. Notably, 42 percent expressed intentions to keep walking more post-pandemic.
Read the Rutgers New Jersey State PolicyLab blog article about this research here: Walking During and After the Pandemic
Read the full published article here: Working from Home and Walking during and after COVID
Article 2: Cycling during and after COVID: Has there been a boom in activity?
This study focused on the surge in bicycling activity in New Jersey during the pandemic. Conducted through surveys in the winters of 2020-21 and 2021-22, it found that those working from home were more likely to increase bicycle usage. Positive infrastructure changes, like protected bike lanes and street closures, were associated with increased biking during the pandemic and participants’ plans to continue post-pandemic.
Read the Rutgers New Jersey State PolicyLab blog article about this research here: Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Spark a Bicycling Boom?
Read the full published article here: Cycling during and after COVID: Has there been a boom in activity?