A2PT Testing Scheme

Four Weeks Without a Car: Insights From the A2PT Pilot Action in the Danube Region

The pilot aimed to demonstrate how walking, cycling, and public transport could effectively replace car trips. In doing so, the pilot sought to increase awareness, encourage behavioural change, and promote acceptance of sustainable mobility. A four-week testing period was chosen to ensure that meaningful behavioural changes could be observed, giving participants enough time to adapt to and evaluate alternative mobility options.

At least 10 people from the focus region of Ulm, Neu-Ulm, Landkreis Neu-Ulm, and Alb-Donau-Kreis abstained from using their cars during a four-week testing period and instead relied exclusively on sustainable modes of transport. The pilot action was implemented in three consecutive cycles with three to four participants each.

During the testing period, participants were offered one of four high-quality bicycles—two folding bikes, one e-folding bike with a child trailer, and one e-cargo bike—purchased by DOU. They also received reimbursement for a public transport ticket. Between each cycle, the bicycles were inspected and, where necessary, maintained by a local bike shop. The three testing cycles took place on the following dates:

1. 5 May – 1 June 2025

2. 14 July – 10 August 2025

3. 22 September – 19 October 2025

Target Groups

The pilot addressed:

• Individuals aged 18 and above who regularly drove (two to three times per week) as drivers or passengers and had regular access to a private car.

• A preferably diverse group in terms of age, gender, place of residence (urban/rural), and occupation (employees, students, trainees, homemakers, etc.) to ensure varied insights.

• Commuters who typically used a car for the first mile before continuing their journey by train or bus.

Implementation of the A2PT Testing Scheme

The pilot project was implemented through a series of coordinated actions designed to engage participants, document their experiences, and collect comprehensive data on sustainable mobility behaviour. The first major step consisted of promoting the pilot scheme across multiple channels from April to May/June. This promotional phase successfully reached a wide audience and generated broad interest in participation.

(Picture about the promotional)

Following the promotional activities, the participant application process took place between April and September. Applicants were selected based on mobility behaviour, place of residence, age, and gender to ensure that the final group reflected the diverse living conditions of the focus region—Ulm, Neu-Ulm, Landkreis Neu-Ulm, and Alb-Donau-Kreis. Once selected, participants were invited to introductory meetings, held either online or in person, during which organisational details were clarified. Handover appointments for the bicycles were scheduled prior to the start of each testing cycle. Participants also acquired public transport tickets for their testing period, which were reimbursed by DOU.

(Picture about the bike handover)

During each four-week testing phase, the participants relied exclusively on sustainable transport options. The project team coordinated the inspection and maintenance of the bicycles between or, when required, during the test rounds to ensure smooth operation. Throughout the testing periods, participants documented their experiences by providing photos and personal statements. These materials were shared by DOU on social media to inform the public about the ongoing pilot and to foster wider engagement with its objectives.

(Picture about the post/the real picture)

Monitoring

Monitoring formed a central component of the pilot. Each participant completed three questionnaires: one before the test period, one immediately after, and one two months later. This process, carried out from August to December, made it possible to track behavioural changes, user satisfaction, and the longer-term effects of the intervention. The initial questionnaire also served as the application form for participant selection.

From October to January, the collected results were summarised and analysed, forming the basis for a draft report that contributed to the development of the transnational A2PT online toolbox. The findings were also presented to the regional A2PT working group, relevant stakeholders, mobility experts, and the wider public through various communication channels. This ensured that the insights gained from the pilot were disseminated broadly and supported the advancement of future sustainable mobility initiatives in the Danube region.

Main KPIs include:

• Number of participants who change their mobility behavior after two months.

• Satisfaction with provided bicycles and public transport services.

• Number of car trips replaced for commuting to work, school, or university.

• Amount of money saved by using bicycles instead of cars to get to public transport stations and drive to work, school or university (two months after the testing).

 

Challenges and Lessons Learned During Implementation

The implementation of the pilot action was accompanied by several challenges that provided valuable insights for future sustainable mobility initiatives.

Insurance Challenges

Clarifying the insurance coverage for the bicycles took significantly longer than anticipated. The process extended over one and a half months and was only finalised shortly before the beginning of the first testing phase. Insurance options for rental bicycles proved to be far more limited than those available for privately owned bikes, increasing the perceived risk for participants and potentially discouraging some from joining the scheme. The issue was ultimately resolved through close and trustful communication with the insurance provider. This experience demonstrated the importance of allocating sufficient time for administrative procedures in future projects.

Recruiting Participants for the Child Trailer

Although public interest in the pilot was generally high and DOU received many applications, identifying suitable testers for the e-folding bike equipped with a child trailer proved difficult. Most parents already owned a trailer and expressed a preference for a cargo bike with integrated child-carrying capacity. To overcome this limitation, DOU intensified outreach efforts through targeted flyer distribution and social media communication. While this increased visibility, it highlighted the importance of aligning offered equipment with user preferences and real-life needs.

Communication and Participant Engagement

In the initial phase, DOU faced challenges in obtaining social media content from participants. Early communication framed content sharing as voluntary, which led to limited submissions. In later cycles, clearer and more binding expectations helped improve engagement significantly. This demonstrated the necessity of precise and transparent communication from the outset to ensure effective cooperation.

Weather-Related Motivation Issues

Weather conditions also influenced participation. One participant chose not to use the test bicycle at all, citing persistent bad weather, and relied exclusively on public transport instead. Although public transport use was still consistent with the project’s sustainability goals, it did not fully align with the intention of testing a combination of active and public transport. expectations regarding the use of the provided bicycles were therefore communicated more explicitly to subsequent participants.

Data Collection Difficulties

The collection of questionnaires generally proceeded smoothly, supported by reminder messages to participants. However, obtaining the third follow-up questionnaire posed challenges in isolated cases. Notably, one participant from the first testing cycle could not be reached by email or phone, making the final data point unavailable. This issue underscored the need for alternative strategies—such as backup contact methods or automated survey tools—to address potential non-responsiveness in future monitoring activities.