Appendix L - Interviewer Responses To Frequently Asked Questions

5432 National Survey of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behavior

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Purpose/Topic of the Survey

Question: What is the purpose of this study?

Answer: The purpose of the study is to gather information about bicyclist and pedestrian behavior. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is an agency in the US Department of Transportation, is conducting the survey in order to identify current issues and obstacles that people have in being able to walk and bicycle outdoors. The information obtained will be used to provide guidance to programs across the country that seek to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Question: What kinds of questions will you ask?

Answer: We will ask you about how often you ride a bike or go walking outdoors, how easy it is to walk or bicycle in your community,and some basic questions about your household. If you would like to learn more about National Highway Traffic Safety Administration programs on bicyclist and pedestrian safety, you can visit its website at www.nhtsa.gov.

Question: Why should I participate?

Answer: This data will be used to improve programs for pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Participating is one way for you to have an influence on this process. The information is used for planning purposes to develop more effective programs and to identify current issues and obstacles that people have in being able to walk and bicycle outdoors. The small numbers of people we are calling were selected to represent the views of pedestrians and bicyclists across the country. When you don’t participate, it leaves a “hole” in the data.

Question: How long will this take?

Answer: This survey usually takes about 20 minutes. The length of the survey actually depends on your answers to the questions. You can end the survey at any time and continue it at another time. If you don’t have time right now, we can schedule a better time to call you back. We can get started and see how far we get, and if needed, we can schedule a callback to complete the survey at another time.

Legitimacy:

Question: Who is sponsoring this study?

Answer: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is an agency in the US Department of Transportation, is conducting this survey in order to identify current issues and obstacles that people have in being able to walk and bicycle outdoors.

Question: How do I know the survey is legitimate?

Answer: I can give you the official web address for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which confirms the study.

NHTSA web site: www.nhtsa.gov

Question: How did you get my phone number? It’s unlisted.

Answer: Telephone numbers are dialed at random, which means an unlisted number can be dialed by chance. Your participation is anonymous, and we will not collect any personal information that would allow anyone to identify you.

Question: Do you work for the DOT/NHTSA?

Answer: I work for a research firm called Abt SRBI. Abt SRBI conducts the telephone interviews on behalf of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Privacy:

Question: Are my answers confidential?

Answer: Your participation is anonymous, and we will not link your answers to any personal information that would allow anyone to identify you.

Question: Do I have to do this?

Answer: Your participation is voluntary. However, without your help, the survey won’t be able to provide information for improving safety that is as accurate as it needs to be. It’s important that the views and experiences of everyone we call be represented in the survey so that the status of pedestrian and bicyclist safety can be correctly determined...

Question: Why do you need to know how many adults live in the household?

Answer: Information on the number of adults living in the household is used to adjust the data so that we can produce final numbers representing the nation as a whole.

Question: I don’t give my age over the telephone.

Answer: I understand, but it’s very important because some of the programs planned from this information may be for people in certain age groups. All the information obtained in this study is used strictly for research purposes, and your name will not be linked to the answers you provide.

Question: [Income] I think this is very personal or Why do you need this information?

Answer: I only need the range within which your total household income falls. I do not need to know the actual income. All of this information will be used for statistical purposes only.

Question: Release of information

Answer: A report summarizing this information will be published. You can go to the NHTSA website at www.nhtsa.gov to read the report once it is available. NHTSA will also post the data on-line for researchers. However, the posted data will not contain information that would allow anyone to identify you.

Reluctance:

Question: I don't do surveys.

Answer: I understand, but this survey really examines issues and obstacles that people have in being able to walk and bicycle outdoors. While there may be no direct benefit to you in participating in the interview, the survey is being conducted in the belief that the findings will help all US residents.

Question: I don’t do surveys over the phone. Put it in the mail.

Answer: We can only conduct this survey over the phone. After many years of experience conducting these surveys, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration believes that this is the most efficient, representative, and thorough method of gathering this information. Once they start the survey, many people like you find it interesting. You can refuse to answer specific questions.

Question: I don't have time.

Answer: It doesn't take very long and we can schedule it at a time convenient for you. We need to represent the opinions of busy people like you, as well as people who have more time, if we are to present an accurate picture of the experiences of all residents. We can get started and see how far we get, and if needed, we can schedule a callback to complete the survey at another time.

Question: I don’t know anything about that.

Answer: This isn’t a test. We only want to ask you about your personal opinions and experiences. Many people find the survey to be interesting. We will be interviewing adults about walking and bicycling as well as safety issues. These affect all of us.

Question: I don’t ride a bike.

Answer: That's fine. The survey is about safety for bicyclists and non-/bicyclists such as yourself. Since you don't ride a bike, the interview will be much shorter..

Question: Why can’t you interview me? (Non-selected Adult)

Answer: I would like to, but our survey protocol calls for us to do the interview with a randomly selected adult member of your household. This is done so that we can be sure that our study results represent all adults.

Question: I don’t want to buy anything.

Answer: I am not selling anything. I am calling on behalf of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to ask you about your opinions and experiences regarding walking and bicycling outdoors. The information you provide will be used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to improve safety programs.

Question: Doesn’t the government have better things to do with our tax dollars?

Answer: [Do not argue] Your opinions are very important to us and your answers will help the government spend tax dollars more wisely. The survey will only take a few minutes.