Route Preferences among Adults in the near Market for Bicycling: Findings of the Cycling in Cities Study

Abstract

Purpose.

To provide evidence about the types of transportation infrastructure that support bicycling.

Design.

Population-based survey with pictures to depict 16 route types.

Setting.

Metro Vancouver, Canada.

Subjects.

1402 adult current and potential cyclists, i.e., the “near market” for cycling (representing 31% of the population).

Measures.

Preference scores for each infrastructure type (scale from − 1, very unlikely to use, to +1, very likely to use); current frequency of use of each infrastructure type (mean number of times/y).

Analyses.

Descriptive statistics across demographic segments; multiple linear regression.

Results.

Most respondents were likely or very likely to choose to cycle on the following broad route categories: off-street paths (71%–85% of respondents); physically separated routes next to major roads (71%); and residential routes (48%–65%). Rural roads (21%–49%) and routes on major streets (16%–52%) were least likely to be chosen. Within the broad categories, routes with traffic calming, bike lanes, paved surfaces, and no on-street parking were preferred, resulting in increases in likelihood of choosing the route from 12% to 37%. Findings indicate a marked disparity between preferred cycling infrastructure and the route types that were currently available and commonly used.

Conclusion.

This study provides evidence for urban planners about bicycling infrastructure designs that could lead to an increase in active transportation.