Barrier-Free Transport Choices in Multimodal Cities: Understanding Perceived Accessibility of People with Mobility Disabilities

This study examines the factors and mechanisms influencing perceived accessibility and transport choices among people with mobility disabilities (PMDs) in Quebec City, Canada. It explores physical, social, and personal factors shaping mobility in a multimodal context, including fixed-route buses, paratransit, cars, and micromobility (small vehicles designed for short, lightweight travel and usually powered by human or low-power electric motors). Participants, all members of an advocacy organization, use various mobility aids. A mixed-method approach combines survey data (35 participants) with narrative interviews (eight participants) and participant observation. Findings reveal that perceiving a transport mode as accessible does not guarantee its use. Social and personal factors, such as other passengers’ behavior, crowding, self-perceptions of autonomy, and social networks, significantly influence choices, alongside physical factors like sidewalk conditions, weather, and infrastructure. Combining usability from the interactionist Disability Creation Model (HDM-DCP) with perceived accessibility theory, we examine the overlooked framework of PMDs’ mobility decision-making in multimodal contexts, providing insights to develop more inclusive transport systems and foster barrier-free, equitable societies.