Abstract
Taiwan has promoted bicycle tourism for nearly 20 years, and the bicycle paths it has constructed throughout the island are diverse in design. In the present study, an evaluation scale for bicycle path sightseeing potential was devised with a focus on the overall service quality of the paths; 30 popular bicycle paths were analyzed using a field survey, with expert consultation on quantitative indicators, and a qualitative analysis entailing interviews with people regarding the bicycle paths. A multivariate statistical analysis was performed on the quality of the service systems for these paths. The results revealed that the quality of these service systems is influenced by four principal components, namely, landscape attractiveness, image management, bicycle-specific paths, and accessibility, for a total explanatory power of 76.21%; the individual explanatory power of these components was 25.89%, 21.49%, 16.81%, and 12.03%, respectively. Bicycle path conditions, service maintenance, and cleanliness and bicycle specificity are required for future high-quality bicycle paths; diverse bicycle rental services and bicycle types, entrance visibility, and ecological introduction boards along paths are value-added factors to bicycle path quality.
Highlights
Governments worldwide currently promote green transportation through policies to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment, a development that has become a crucial trend of new-generation urban planning [1,2,3,4]
This study focused on the causal relationships between the unique features of each bicycle path and its popularity
Bicycle paths were evaluated through expert field surveys and data formulated through discussion
Summary
Governments worldwide currently promote green transportation through policies to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment, a development that has become a crucial trend of new-generation urban planning [1,2,3,4]. Bicycle paths and road networks are indicators of sustainable urban development, and recreational bicycle sports and in-depth sightseeing have become global trends in bicycle use [4,5]. As non carbon-emitting vehicles, bicycles can be used to develop tourism for recreation and fitness as well as to promote ecotourism. Bicycles enable tourists to sightsee in scenic areas and experience spiritual relaxation; bicycle paths have recreational and fitness functions. When high-quality bicycle paths are completed, they become popular tourist destinations [7]. The extensive economic opportunities provided by sports and recreation industries have received attention and been actively promoted in Europe and the United States [3,6,7]
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