Introduction

The health and well-being of employees have become an increasingly important concern for businesses worldwide. Employers are recognizing that healthy and happy employees are more productive, engaged, and motivated, leading to better business outcomes. In recent years, active mobility, defined as any form of physical activity that is integrated into daily transportation, has emerged as a popular strategy for promoting employee health and well-being.

Active mobility encompasses activities such as walking, cycling, and using public transportation. The concept is based on the idea that incorporating physical activity into daily routines can improve overall health, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and enhance mental health and well-being. As such, active mobility has been promoted as a way to increase employee productivity, engagement, and motivation. But does active mobility really increase employee productivity?

This article will explore the relationship between active mobility and employee productivity. We will review the literature on the topic and examine the evidence from studies that have investigated this relationship.

Benefits of Active Mobility:

Before examining the relationship between active mobility and employee productivity, it is important to first consider the benefits of active mobility itself. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that active mobility has numerous benefits for employee health and well-being.

Engaging in active mobility, such as walking, cycling, or running to work, has been shown to have numerous benefits for employees. One of the most obvious benefits is increased physical activity, which can help employees maintain a healthy weight, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Additionally, active mobility can improve mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. 

As noticed in the figure below, commute does play an important role in evaluating employee well-being and stress levels. A study by Bostock et al. (2012) found that employees who walked or cycled to work reported lower levels of stress compared to those who commuted by car.

Source: Springer – How commuting affects subjective well-being

Active mobility can also improve employee mobility. A study by Chatterjee et al. (2018) found that employees who engaged in active mobility had higher levels of mobility at work compared to those who did not engage in active mobility. Specifically, employees who walked, biked, or ran to work had higher levels of mobility than those who drove or used public transportation. Additionally, active mobility has been shown to improve overall job performance. A study by Rissel et al. (2017) found that employees who walked or cycled to work reported higher levels of productivity compared to those who commuted by car or public transportation.

The Relationship Between Active Mobility and Employee Productivity:

While the benefits of active mobility are well-known, less is known about the relationship between active mobility and employee productivity. Assiduity is defined as the ability to maintain attention and focus on a task for an extended period of time.

Several studies have investigated the relationship between active mobility and employee assiduity, and the results have been mixed. Some studies have found a positive relationship between active mobility and employee determination, while others have found no significant relationship.

The University of East Anglia (2014) found that active commuting such as walking or cycling to work, and using public transport, can improve employee psychological well being and job performance. The study analyzed 18 years of data on almost 18,000 commuters in Britain and found that people reported feeling better when traveling by public transport or having a longer walk to work. The study also contradicts a previous study that found people who walked or cycled to work had lower life satisfaction and more anxiety, as the new research looked at commuters who changed travel mode from one year to the next rather than comparing commuters who used different travel modes at a single point in time. The study highlights the mental health benefits of active mobility and encourages the promotion of projects such as segregated cycleways and public transport schemes to encourage regular active commuting.

Another study in Australia involving 1,121 full-time workers who commute to work made several important findings. Those who commute longer distances tend to have more days off work, while among middle-aged workers, those who walk or cycle to work performed better in the workplace. Short-distance and active travel commuters reported they were more relaxed, calm, enthusiastic, and satisfied with their commuting trips, and were more productive. Driving has been found to be the most stressful way to commute, associated with a series of health problems and lower social capital. Workers with long commutes put in less effort or shirk work as their leisure time is reduced, while commuting can also affect employee productivity through poorer physical and mental health. Active commuting by walking and cycling is perceived to be more “relaxing and exciting” and could improve cognitive ability. Ma and Ye (n.d.)

The picture below can be found in an article by Chatterjee et al. (2019) where the relationship between commuting and subjective well-being (SWB) is explored. The model is partly based on previous research on the relationship between travel and well-being. The review covers studies that have looked at affective experiences, satisfaction, spill-over effects, physical health, overall SWB, mechanisms underlying the relationship, and feedback effects between SWB and commuting decisions. While commuting has objective effects such as time and cost, the focus of the review is on how commuters subjectively experience their journey. The review concludes that commuting can impact overall SWB, and feedback effects between SWB and commuting decisions should be taken into account. 

Source: Full article: Commuting and wellbeing: a critical overview of the literature with implications for policy and future research (tandfonline.com)

Barriers to Active Mobility:

Despite the numerous benefits of active mobility, many employees do not engage in it due to various barriers. One of the most common barriers is the distance between the workplace and the employee’s residence. Many employees may find it difficult to walk or cycle long distances to work, especially if they live in suburban or rural areas. Additionally, some employees may not have access to safe and convenient infrastructure for active mobility, such as bike lanes, sidewalks, and safe crossings.

Another barrier to active mobility is the lack of resources and support from employers. For example, employees who engage in active mobility may require facilities such as bike racks, showers, and changing rooms at the workplace. Some employers may not have these facilities, or may not be willing to invest in them. Additionally, some employers may not provide incentives or support for employees who engage in active mobility, such as flexible work hours or financial incentives.

Recommendations for Promoting Active Mobility:

To promote active mobility in the workplace, employers can implement a variety of strategies. One effective strategy is to provide resources and support for employees who engage in active mobility. This can include installing bike racks, showers, and changing rooms at the workplace, as well as providing incentives such as flexible work hours, financial incentives, or wellness programs that encourage physical activity.

Another effective strategy is to provide safe and convenient infrastructure for active mobility. This can include creating bike lanes, improving sidewalks, and providing safe crossings. Employers can work with local government agencies to improve infrastructure in the surrounding area, or even offer financial incentives to support infrastructure improvements.

Employers can also encourage active mobility through education and awareness campaigns. This can include promoting the benefits of active mobility, providing tips for safe and efficient commuting, and offering training programs for employees who are interested in engaging in active mobility.

Conclusion

Active mobility is an effective way for employees to incorporate physical activity into their daily routine, which can lead to numerous health benefits and improved job performance. However, there are barriers to active mobility, such as the distance between the workplace and employees’ residences, and the lack of resources and support from employers. By implementing strategies such as providing resources and support, improving infrastructure, and promoting awareness, employers can encourage and support active mobility among their employees, leading to improved health and well-being, as well as increased employee productivity.

 

 

References:

Bostock, L., et al. (2012). Commuting, stress, and cortisol: A daily diary study. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 15(8), 836-844.

Chatterjee, K., et al. (2018). Commuting mode choice and health outcomes among employees in the United States: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One, 13(1), e0190993.

Chatterjee, K., Chng, S., Clark, B., Davis, A., De Vos, J., Ettema, D., Handy, S., Martin, A. and Reardon, L. (2019). Commuting and wellbeing: a critical overview of the literature with implications for policy and future research. Transport Reviews, 40(1), pp.5–34. Available at: Full article: Commuting and wellbeing: a critical overview of the literature with implications for policy and future research (tandfonline.com)

Ma, L. and Ye, R. (n.d.). Walking and cycling to work makes commuters happier and more productive. The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/walking-and-cycling-to-work-makes-commuters-happier-and-more-productive-117819.

Rissel, C., et al. (2017). Workplace active transportation policies and employee health: A natural experiment. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 53(6), e165-e174.

University of East Anglia. “Walking or cycling to work improves wellbeing, researchers find.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 September 2014. Available at: Walking or cycling to work improves wellbeing, researchers find — ScienceDaily