Why the riverside is an attractive urban corridor for bicycle transport and recreation

Abstract

The extension of the cycling network is a challenge in view of the dense development of modern cities. Therefore, green-blue corridors are increasingly being used for this type of linear infrastructure. Particularly visible in recent years is the trend of developing urban riverbanks and transforming them into high-class cycle highways. The aim of the paper is to verify which of the features attributed to riverside cycle paths are of greatest importance for their users. The survey conducted for the study [N = 866] used the example of the ‘Nacyna Riverside Route’ in Rybnik, Poland, which, once completed, is expected to become a long traffic-free pedestrian and cycle route connecting the city centre with residential, industrial, and recreational districts. The results were analysed using statistical description in terms of gender, age, and purpose of route use. The article provides information on the natural, locational, and constructional factors that have the strongest impact on the success of a route. It has been shown that the route's location away from traffic and the natural character of its surroundings are of greatest importance. This study expands the existing knowledge base concerning routes most frequently chosen by cyclists as it identifies the factors which determine their popularity.