Abstract
This study examined the effects of the following five types of messages toward deterring parking violation, in the context of bicycle parking: (1) Do not park your bike here; (2) Bike parking is strictly prohibited; (3) If you park your bike here, others will follow suit, so please park in another place; (4) Parking your bike here is dangerous, so please park in another place; (5) If you park your bike here, you will be penalized, so please park in another place. This study focused on parking violation of bicycle within University premises. In Experiment 1, two message boards were placed 3 meters apart. The effects of open space were so strong, no one parked their bicycle in open space. In experiment 2, 1 or 2 bicycles were placed in the space in advance. This manipulation was intended on presenting a prior violator, to see how it might affect subsequent rule-breaking behavior. Results showed the statement of concrete sanctions had the greatest deterring effect, while the others were not half as effective. In Experiment 3, the setting was aimed at suggesting the presence of multiple prior violators by placing five bicycles in advance. Results showed that message effects that were found under the 1 or 2 prior violator settings had dissipated. In all five message conditions, half the violators were persuaded to park elsewhere.
