Does adolescent experience influence mobility later in life? A propensity score matching approach

Abstract

While research shows that car restrictions and investments in sustainable transport infrastructure reduces car use, less is known about the influence of social norms and childhood experiences in shaping mobility behaviour. This study examines the impact of growing up in a car-owning household on car ownership later in life, utilizing Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and longitudinal registry data from Norway. The analysis reveals that experiences in the parental household at age 18 significantly influence car ownership in adulthood (at age 30), with a modest effect size of 4–5 %, after controlling for sociodemographic and neighbourhood factors. These findings suggest that traditional policy measures aimed at reducing car use may need to be complemented by public awareness campaigns to address deeply ingrained mobility behaviors shaped by early life experiences.