Car enthusiasm during the second and fourth waves of COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted daily life, impacting mobility due to restrictions and changes in service accessibility. This study aimed to investigate changes in car enthusiasm in Poland during the second and fourth pandemic waves (October 2020 and October 2021). The research explored the factors determining car enthusiasm and whether these factors differed between the two periods. This study addresses a research gap concerning Central European countries, particularly Poland, a society often considered focused on public transport. The research uses a randomized sample to allow for generalizability, unlike much existing research that relies on non-randomized data from IT providers. The study examines the persistence of car culture in the face of pandemic disruption, and if the pandemic altered the shift toward more sustainable transport modes.

Mobility is a complex construct encompassing various individual and societal factors influencing transport choices. Car culture, defined as a strong societal preference for car use, is explored through two lenses: a human geography approach focusing on identity and community, and a sociology-based approach emphasizing behavior and policy responses. The literature highlights variations in car enthusiasm across generations, with Generation Y often portrayed as less car-oriented and more environmentally conscious. The pandemic's impact on mobility has been studied in various contexts, showing reduced travel and changes in mode choices. However, most prior studies lacked generalizability due to non-randomized data. Research questions addressed include: the correlation of car enthusiasm with age and ecological orientation; the influence of self-assessed life quality on car enthusiasm; and the change in car enthusiasm between the second and fourth pandemic waves in Poland.

Data was collected using a two-round CAWI survey (October 2020 and October 2021) on a stratified random sample of 3700 Polish residents (1700 in 2020, 2000 in 2021). The survey included questions on attitudes, beliefs, and transport mode choices. The questionnaire's reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the data, focusing on the relationships between car enthusiasm (the dependent variable) and several independent variables. These independent variables included self-declared quality of life (QoL), dominant transport mode (DOM_Car), generation, gender, area of residence (Urban_01), and the survey year (Year). Millennial attitudes were assessed using a scale adapted from Sapsford (2011), and non-specific psychological distress (NSPD) was measured using Kessler's 6-item NSPD scale. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied to reduce the number of dimensions in the mobility-related statements, resulting in three latent variables: car fondness, attitude toward shared mobility, and intensity of sustainable beliefs. PLS-SEM was used in SmartPLS 3 software, bootstrapped with 500 subsamples using BCa method to estimate the model parameters.

The SEM analysis revealed statistically significant relationships between variables. Car enthusiasm increased significantly from 2020 to 2021. Generation Y respondents showed lower car enthusiasm. Higher levels of NSPD were correlated with decreased quality of life but increased car enthusiasm, possibly reflecting risk aversion during the pandemic. Interestingly, car enthusiasm and ecological orientation showed a positive correlation, suggesting a potential instance of "environmental hypocrisy." The influence of life quality on car enthusiasm was stronger in the fourth wave than in the second. There was a significant decrease in the importance of sustainability in 2021 compared to 2020. Table 5 details the estimated parameters of the SEM, including the significant positive relationship between car enthusiasm and ecological orientation (0.139), the negative relationship between gender (specifically being female) and car enthusiasm (-0.067), and the significant impact of year (indicating increased car enthusiasm in 2021) (0.271). Table 6 presents the goodness-of-fit indices for the model, indicating an acceptable fit (SRMR = 0.073).

The increased car enthusiasm during the pandemic is likely attributed to mobility restrictions, fear of infection, and the perceived safety of private vehicles compared to public transport. The lower car enthusiasm among Generation Y aligns with previous research suggesting their preference for multimodal and shared mobility options. However, this finding challenges existing ideas about changes in mobility choices across the life course. The positive correlation between car enthusiasm and ecological orientation warrants further investigation, potentially reflecting a preference for low-emission vehicles. The impact of NSPD on car enthusiasm suggests that stress might lead to greater reliance on cars. The unexpected decrease in the importance of sustainability might be unique to Poland's context, where high mortality rates during the pandemic may have caused a reevaluation of life priorities.

This study highlights the complex interplay between individual attitudes, societal factors, and pandemic-related restrictions on mobility choices. The results underscore the increasing car enthusiasm in Poland during the pandemic, particularly among non-millennials. Future research could explore these relationships in other countries and investigate the long-term effects of the pandemic on mobility behavior. The surprising positive correlation between car use and ecological beliefs highlights a need for transport policies that consider both individual preferences and environmental sustainability.

The study's cross-sectional design limits the ability to track changes in individual behavior over time. Although stratified random sampling was employed, the conclusions are limited to the sampled portion of Polish society. The reliance on self-reported data also introduces the possibility of response bias.