Built Environment Correlates of the Propensity of Walking and Cycling

Longzhu Xiao,Linchuan Yang,Jixiang Liu,Hongtai Yang

doi:10.3390/su12208752

Abstract

Walking and cycling are not only frequently-used modes of transport but also popular physical activities. They are beneficial to traffic congestion mitigation, air pollution reduction, and public health promotion. Hence, examining and comparing the built environment correlates of the propensity of walking and cycling is of great interest to urban practitioners and decision-makers and has attracted extensive research attention. However, existing studies mainly look into the two modes separately or consider them as an integral (i.e., active travel), and few compare built environment correlates of their propensity in a single study, especially in the developing world context. Thus, this study, taking Xiamen, China, as a case, examines the built environment correlates of the propensity of walking and cycling simultaneously and compares the results wherever feasible. It found (1) built environment correlates of the propensity of walking and cycling differ with each other largely in direction and magnitude; (2) land use mix, intersection density, and bus stop density are positively associated with walking propensity, while the distance to the CBD (Central Business District) is a negative correlate; (3) as for cycling propensity, only distance to CBD is a positive correlate, and job density, intersection density, and bus stop density are all negative correlates. The findings of this study have rich policy implications for walking and cycling promotion interventions.

Highlights

Walking and cycling are frequently-utilized modes of transport and a popular component of people’s daily physical activity
Results of Models 3 and 4 imply that rental residences and household size are positively associated with cycling propensity, while age, being female, being natives, education level, being white-collars and officials, and owning at least one motor vehicle are negatively correlated with cycling propensity
This implies that even in China, of which the cities are well-known for high walkability, some measures can still be undertaken to intervene in the development of the built environment to enhance residents’ walking propensity

Summary

Introduction

Walking and cycling are frequently-utilized modes of transport and a popular component of people’s daily physical activity. As two alternatives to motorized travel modes such as private driving, walking and cycling can effectively reduce transport costs and, at the same time, mitigate traffic congestion induced by the explosion of motorized transport [1]. As environmentally friendly travel modes, walking and cycling are conducive to decreasing energy consumption and transportation-related air pollutants [2] and greenhouse gases [3]. Walking and cycling are related to a higher level of social integration and interaction, thereby bringing about various social benefits [11]. Walking and cycling have great potential for promoting economic, environmental, and social sustainability and public health

Methods

Results

Conclusion