Bicycle and Free Car Parking Availability at Trip Destinations: A Sustainable Mobility Test for Parking

Commuter Mode Choice and Free Car Parking, Public Transportation Benefits, Showers/Lockers, and Bike Parking at Work: Evidence from the Washington, DC Region

Determinants of bicycle commuting in the Washington, DC region: The role of bicycle parking, cyclist showers, and free car parking at work

Bicycle parking demand at railway stations: Capturing price-walking trade offs

Many cities in the world have recognized cycling as one of the alternative ways of urban transport and are increasingly investing in the development of cycling and appropriate infrastructure, which helps to ensure the sustainable development of both the city and mobility in general. Cycling has numerous advantages compared to motorized transport because it contributes to a healthier lifestyle, reduces the use of personal vehicles and thus the traffic volumes, and affects the reduction of fuel consumption and air pollution. Adequate cycling infrastructure and its connections to other modes of transportation are necessary for cycling to be both safe and attractive to the general public. The city of Split started investing in bicycle lanes and promoting this mode of transportation only in the last fifteen years. This paper presents an analysis of the existing bicycle infrastructure in the city area in terms of construction and network connectivity, as well as the compliance of geometric elements with the current Rulebook on Bicycle Infrastructure. Furthermore, the method of organization and use of the public bicycle system is presented. This system which was introduced in July 2019 and was upgraded in the following years, significantly contributed to the development of bicycle traffic in Split. Following the analysis, some recommendations for enhancing the cycling infrastructure were made. In general, urban planning and design of city roads and public areas can have a substantial impact on the safety, comfort and connectivity of the cycling infrastructure, which will help promote and develop cycling and sustainable mobility.

Cycling in British cities is increasing but at a slow rate nationally. The ultimate realizations of cycling benefits in urban areas, such as cities in North East England, are hampered by lack of appropriate data to aid in our understanding of cycling behaviors to inform policy strategies and improve cycling uptake as well as data processing methodologies. Several efforts are being made to enhance data availability to understand cycling behaviors to inform policy strategies for which this research aims to contribute by providing evidence on the use of the area’s cycling infrastructure by utility cyclists. A proposed corridor space analytical approach was used to analyze the newly collected 7-day GPS data from 79 utility cyclists to estimate the extent to which respondents used the area’s cycling infrastructure. The data was used together with the area cycling infrastructure data from Newcastle City Council. Findings from the corridor space analysis suggest that 57.4 % of cyclists from sample prefer cycling on the cycle network, while 33.8 % cycle outside the cycle network with 8.8 % near the cycle network. Also, for all cycle trips, men tend to dominate in cycling on and near the cycle network. Both the males and females tend to use the cycle network more than off the network for utility trips. With 42.6 % of cyclists still cycling outside the designated cycle network, it is imperative that policy initiatives are aimed towards investing in cycling research and infrastructure to further deepen our understanding to encourage cycling around the study area. It was also suggested that the captured detailed actual route choice preferences could serve as input to the development of agent-based models towards understanding cycling behaviors around the study area.

ABSTRACTThis study investigates bicycle parking behavior at public transport stations. More specifically, this article discusses the siting of bicycle parking spaces at stations and selection between different bicycle parking devices. The insight can improve bicycle parking patronage at public transport stations.A revealed preference database collected jointly by the Roads and Maritime Services of Australia and Parsons Brinckerhoff during October and November 2008 is used in this study. This data was obtained by visiting 146 of New South Wales's train stations, whereby observations of bicycles parked outside in the open air were made. The observations included counts of parked bicycles, counts of bicycle parking spaces, parking distances to station entrances, and the presence of streetscape features surrounding parking locations. The study also utilizes similar revealed preference data of bicycle parking in secure bicycle lockers, which are provided at 102 Sydney train stations. This data was collected in May 2011.Data segmentation and graphical comparison shows bicycles parked outside in the open air are parked differently than those parked in secure bicycle lockers. Regression analyses find significant relationships between various streetscape and train station characteristics upon bicycle parking levels. Station patronage, appropriate distancing of bicycle parking infrastructure, and presence of passive and active surveillance were factors found to be predictive of bicycle parking. Ultimately, the study has implications on the provision, placement, and selection of bicycle parking infrastructure at public transport stations.

Bicycle parking allocation and its equity implications: The case of Bogota, Colombia

BackgroundPromoting walking for the journey to and from work (commuter walking) is a potential strategy for increasing physical activity. Understanding the factors influencing commuter walking is important for identifying target groups and designing effective interventions. This study aimed to examine individual, employment-related and psychosocial factors associated with commuter walking and to discuss the implications for targeting and future design of interventions.Methods1,544 employees completed a baseline survey as part of the ‘Walking Works’ intervention project (33.4% male; 36.3% aged <30 years). Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the associations of individual (age, ethnic group, educational qualifications, number of children <16 and car ownership), employment-related (distance lived from work, free car parking at work, working hours, working pattern and occupation) and psychosocial factors (perceived behavioural control, intention, social norms and social support from work colleagues) with commuter walking.ResultsAlmost half of respondents (n = 587, 49%) were classified as commuter walkers. Those who were aged <30 years, did not have a car, had no free car parking at work, were confident of including some walking or intended to walk to or from work on a regular basis, and had support from colleagues for walking were more likely to be commuter walkers. Those who perceived they lived too far away from work to walk, thought walking was less convenient than using a car for commuting, did not have time to walk, needed a car for work or had always travelled the same way were less likely to be commuter walkers.ConclusionsA number of individual, employment-related and psychosocial factors were associated with commuter walking. Target groups for interventions to promote walking to and from work may include those in older age groups and those who own or have access to a car. Multi-level interventions targeting individual level behaviour change, social support within the workplace and organisational level travel policies may be required in order to promote commuter walking.

Development of bicycle infrastructure for health and sustainability

China has a historic system of wide cycle tracks, many of which are now encroached by cars, buses and bus stops. Even with these conditions, college students still bicycle. On campuses, students park their bikes on facilities ranging from kick-stand-plazas to caged sheds with racks, pumps and an attendant. In other countries, including Canada, some of the newer cycle tracks need to be wider to accommodate an increasing number of bicyclists. Other countries will also need to improve their bike parking, which includes garage-basement cages and two-tiered racks. China could provide lessons about cycle tracks and bike parking. This study applied the Maslow Transportation Level of Service (LOS) theory, i.e., for cycle tracks and bike parking, only after the basic needs of safety and security are met for both vehicle occupants and bicyclists can the higher needs of convenience and comfort be met. With random clustering, a self-administered questionnaire was collected from 410 students in six dormitory buildings at Peking University in Beijing and an environmental scan of bicycle parking conducted in school/office and living areas. Cycle tracks (1 = very safe/5 = very unsafe) shared with moving cars were most unsafe (mean = 4.6), followed by sharing with parked cars (4.1) or bus stop users (4.1) (p < 0.001). Close to half thought campus bike parking lacked order. The most suggested parking facilities were sheds, security (guard or camera), bicycle racks and bicycle parking services (pumps, etc.). If parking were improved, three quarters indicated they would bicycle more. While caged sheds were preferred, in living areas with 1597 parked bikes, caged sheds were only 74.4% occupied. For the future of China’s wide cycle tracks, perhaps a fence-separated bus lane beside a cycle track might be considered or, with China’s recent increase in bike riding, shared bikes and E-bikes, perhaps cars/buses could be banned from the wide cycle tracks. In other countries, a widened cycle track entrance should deter cars. Everywhere, bike parking sheds could be built and redesigned with painted lines to offer more space and order, similar to car parking.

IntroductionEncouraging walking during the daily commute is a potential strategy for increasing physical activity levels. This study aimed: (i) to examine, and compare by travel mode, the objectively measured physical activity of a working adult population, and, (ii) to identify associations between mode of travel to work and a range of individual, interpersonal, organisational and environmental characteristics.MethodsEmployees (n=654) recruited from 87 workplaces in geographically distinct areas provided data through accelerometers, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, travel diaries and questionnaires. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were developed to examine factors associated with physical activity during the commute and mode of travel to work.ResultsIn comparison to car users (7.3 minutes±Standard Deviation 7.6), walkers (34.3±18.6) and public transport users (25.7±14.0) accrued substantially higher levels of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity during the commute. Combined accelerometer and GPS data showed that participants who walked at least ten minutes during their commute were more likely to have a shorter commute distance (p<0.001), occupy a sedentary job (p<0.01), and be classified as ‘underweight or normal weight’ (p<0.03). No car access (p<0.001), and absence of free work car parking (p<0.01) were independently related to walking to work and using public transport. Shorter commuting distances were also related to walking to work (p<0.001). Public transport users were more likely to be younger (p=0.04), have more positive environmental perceptions (p=0.01), and less likely to combine their commute with caring responsibilities (p=0.03).ConclusionsThis study shows that walking to work and using public transport are important contributors to physical activity levels in a working population. Planning, transport and behavioural interventions to promote walking during the commute should take into account the wider determinants. Reducing availability of free work car parking is one possible strategy to discourage car use.

Credibly identifying how the built environment shapes behavior is empirically challenging, because people select residential locations based on differing constraints and preferences for site amenities. Our study overcomes these research barriers by leveraging San Francisco's affordable housing lotteries, which randomly allow specific households to move to specific residences. Using administrative data, we demonstrate that lottery-winning households' baseline preferences are uncorrelated with their allotted residential features such as public transportation accessibility, parking availability, and bicycle infrastructure---meaning that neighborhood attributes and a building's parking supply are effectively assigned at random. Surveying the households, we find that these attributes significantly affect transportation mode choices. Most notably, we show that essentially random variation in on-site parking availability greatly changes households' car ownership decisions and driving frequency, with substitution away from public transit. In contrast, we find that parking availability does not affect employment or job mobility. Overall, the evidence from our study robustly supports that local features of the built environment are important determinants of transportation behavior.

Bicycle transport stands at the forefront of sustainable mobility initiatives, a cornerstone of European Union policy. While support for cycling is crucial, its advancement hinges upon the presence of high-quality, secure infrastructure for cyclists. Safety emerges as a paramount concern, influencing the viability of cycling as a mode of transportation, yet its perception varies among user demographics. Considering this, this article endeavours to examine and contrast cycling infrastructure across various European nations, alongside analysing statistics pertaining to fatal traffic accidents involving cyclists. In our paper, we have chosen the Netherlands as a representative of building quality cycling infrastructure with many years of experience, and two countries that are developing conditions for cyclists, Slovakia and Poland. We have applied a correlation between the length of the transport infrastructure and the number of cyclists killed. The findings point to the substantial correlation between the quality of cycling infrastructure and the incidence of accidents. This correlation underscores the pressing need for robust infrastructure development and safety measures to bolster cycling as a safe and viable transportation option. We have employed the Shapiro-Wilk test for normal distribution to verify the input data and process the Pearson correlation to investigate the correlation between cycling infrastructure and road accident fatalities of cyclists.

Increasing levels of everyday cycling has many benefits for both individuals and for cities. Reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality and safer spaces for all vulnerable road users are among the significant benefits for urban developments. Despite this, public opposition to cycling infrastructure is common, particularly when it involves reprioritising road space for cycles instead of vehicles. The purpose of the research was to examine various stakeholders’ perspectives on proposed cycle infrastructure projects. This study utilised an innovative data collection approach through detailed content analysis of 322 public consultation submissions on a proposed active travel scheme in Limerick City, Ireland. By categorising submissions into support, opposition, and proposals, the study reveals the nuanced public perceptions that influence behavioural adaptation and acceptance of sustainable transport infrastructure. Supportive submissions, which outnumbered opposition-related submissions by approximately 2:1, emphasised the need for dedicated cycling infrastructure, enhanced cyclist safety, and potential improvements in environmental conditions. In contrast, opposition submissions focused on concerns over car parking removal, decreased accessibility for residents, and safety issues for vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly. Proposal submissions suggested design modifications, including enhanced safety features, provisions for convenient car parking, and alternative cycle routes. This paper highlights the value of structured public consultation data in uncovering behavioural determinants and barriers to cycling infrastructure adoption, offering policymakers essential insights into managing public opposition and fostering support. The methodology demonstrates how qualitative data from consultations can be effectively used to inform policy by capturing community-specific needs and enhancing the design of sustainable urban mobility systems. These findings underscore the need for innovative, inclusive data collection methods that reveal public sentiment, facilitating evidence-based transport policies that support climate-neutral mobility.

IntroductionCycling infrastructure policies yield health and environmental benefits. However, design variations may impact intervention effectiveness. This study explored relationships between infrastructure form (e.g., width, length) and function (e.g., access, safety) and cycling behavior. MethodsWe analysed data from a study evaluating 15 streets with new cycling infrastructure improvements in Paris and Lyon. Comparison streets were chosen based on having similar pre-intervention cycling trends and periods of data availability as intervention streets. The outcome was the difference in daily cycle counts between intervention and control streets. We conducted a virtual street audit with Google Street View to assess 14 street features and derived a function score based on 7 components. We used induced smoothed LASSO regression to identify relevant form or function variables associated with cycle count changes. ResultsThe effects of new cycling infrastructure varied, with significant increases at half (7/15) of the sites and no change at the rest. For every 1 SD increase in cycle lane length, an increase of 83 cycle counts per day (95% CI 32, 134) was observed. Removing car parking and traffic lanes were associated with an increase of 197 counts (108, 285) and 154 counts (58, 249), respectively. Adding a public transport stop showed a negative association with a change of −83 counts (−158, −8). Functions positively associated with cycle count changes were improving safety (75, 95% CI 8, 141) and space (72, 95% CI 10, 135). ConclusionsThis study sheds light on cycling infrastructure design influences on cycling behavior. These insights can help guide future policies and infrastructure development to maximize cycling benefits for health and the environment.