Determinants of sustainable mobility in urban and rural Cameroon. Infrastructure, aspiration, and the mode choice divide in a secondary city

The global push for sustainable transport often overlooks the nuanced mobility dynamics within the secondary cities of the Global South. This study investigates the factors influencing the adoption of sustainable travel practices by comparing urban and rural inhabitants in Bafoussam, a city in Cameroon's West Region. Using a quantitative survey approach, data was collected from 398 residents (241 urban, 157 rural) on their travel behaviour, modal choices, and perceived barriers. The data was analysed using chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and multinomial logistic regression. The findings reveal a significant urban-rural divergence in mobility patterns. Urban travel is dominated by personal cars (31%) and public buses (26%), driven by longer commutes. In contrast, rural mobility relies heavily on walking (34%) and motorized two-wheelers (29%), which are better suited for shorter distances and poor road conditions. Despite these differences, inadequate infrastructure emerged as the single most critical barrier to sustainable transport for both groups, cited by 75% of urban and 65% of rural respondents. While a majority of residents (70%) aspire to own a personal car, a significant portion (57%) have been forced to abandon sustainable travel options due to practical constraints. The regression analysis confirms that area of residence, travel time, and perceived comfort and safety are strong predictors of mode choice. This research provides critical evidence that without substantial investment in infrastructure—including safe pedestrian walkways, cycling lanes, and reliable public transport—policies aimed at shifting travel behaviour will be ineffective. The study concludes that context-specific, infrastructure-led strategies are essential to foster sustainable mobility in rapidly growing sub-Saharan African cities.