Do negative experiences of car dependence foster support for car use restrictions? Evidence from Polish urban regions

While restrictive transport policies aimed at reducing car use are among the most effective strategies for promoting sustainable mobility, they are often met with strong public and political resistance. This article investigates whether experiencing negative consequences of car dependence can generate public support for such measures, challenging the dominant narrative of societal opposition and locked-in nature of car dependent systems. Drawing on survey data from metropolitan areas in Poland and combining k-means clustering with generalized linear models, the study identifies a distinct group of respondents who, despite relying heavily on private cars, experience above-average transport poverty and express significant support for car-restrictive policies. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of public attitudes, highlighting that dissatisfaction with car-based mobility can foster openness to change – even among those most dependent on cars. Ultimately, this research calls for a broader conceptualization of car dependence that accounts for its subjective burdens, offering new insights into how socially embedded resistance to mobility reform might be overcome.