How does the built environment shape active travel during COVID-19 travel restrictions? evidence from Melbourne

COVID-19 restrictions impose significant changes on human mobility patterns, with some studies finding significant shifts in walking and cycling in some cities. However, to date there is little understanding on how the neighbourhood-level built environment influenced active travel behaviour during the COVID-19 restrictions. We aimed to answer this question by examining recreational walking and cycling during different stages of lockdown in Melbourne, Australia. We compared self-reported changes in active travel data from 1344 respondents between pre- and two different stages in lockdown by various built environment factors of their residential neighbourhoods. We found that walking and cycling declined significantly during the two stages of lockdown in general. However, the mobility decline was slower in neighbourhoods with a high level of green spaces, residential area, and residential density. This is particularly true for the regular cyclist and walkers. The findings suggest the need for an equity in the design of the built environment to maintain/promote active transport.