In 2006 more than eight hundred respondents from Oslo, the capital in Norway, and Kristiansand, a smaller town in the southern part of the country, participated in a survey on risk perception on different travel modes. In addition, interviews with 222 persons were conducted while they were travelling on the metro or by bicycle.
Results indicated that respondents worried about security issues on public transport modes, while private transport modes were associated with worrying about safety issues. Moreover, while perception of security is influenced by own experience with unpleasant situations, this was not the case with perception of safety.
Even though several respondents reported making behavioural adaptations as a consequence of worrying, risk perception does not have a major influence on transport mode choice. The results further indicate that people experience a higher degree of worry before the trip than while on the trip. Knowledge about risk perception is important with regard to users? mobility and general welfare.
