Towards an index of city readiness for cycling

Abstract

After decades of overdependence on motorized means of transport, and in acknowledgement of major environmental challenges, most of the world’s cities are recognizing the importance of adopting non-motorized means of transport to enhance their quality of life. Local authorities are interested in providing facilities that enable city residents to efficiently traverse the urban fabric. Cycling, as an important non-motorized mode of transport, is considered to be an efficient alternative to motor vehicles. Establishing safe and convenient cycle routes has become one of the main development tasks in contemporary cities. Indeed, converting today’s traditional cities into bicycle-friendly ones is considered to be one of the principal goals of development plans. This paper addresses the urban readiness of cities to be bicycle-friendly. It focuses on the socioeconomic and urban characteristics that have to be present in a city for cycling to be adopted as a primary mode of transport. Through statistical analysis of 20 bicycle-friendly cities, the paper identifies the main requirements for urban cycling. Finally, it evaluates the readiness of Egyptian cities to become bicycle-friendly.