How does the individual perception of local conditions affect cycling? An analysis of the impact of built and non-built environment factors on cycling behaviour and attitudes in an urban setting

  • The impact of local environment characteristics on individual cycling behaviour has been discussed in transport research for several years. Many previous studies have, however, primarily focused on the presence and distribution of built environment elements, considered using georeferenced or census data. This paper argues that not only is the objectively measured environment an influencing factor, but also the individual perception of this environment. Furthermore, besides built elements, the evaluation of perceived non-built attributes, such as discourses and policies, as well as the environment’s impact on cycling attitudes, should be taken into account for a more comprehensive view. For this purpose, this study examines the responses to a household survey in the German city of Offenbach am Main (n = 701). The impact of the perceived local environment on cycling behaviour and cycling attitudes has been analysed using 21 perception items as well as socio-demographics, travel mode availability and general travel attitudes. For a more detailed view on cycling behaviour, this study applies the stage model of self-regulated behavioural change (SSBC) indicating a level of openness to use a bicycle frequently in everyday life. The results of the multivariate analysis show that the perceptions of built and non-built environment characteristics interrelate. Furthermore, certain perceptions encourage bicycle use and positive attitudes towards cycling, such as perceived cycling safety and pleasure. Primarily, these perceptions are safe and appropriate cycling infrastructures, cycling as a common practice and the absence of vandalism, dirt and high car pressure.

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Metadaten
Author:Andreas BlitzGND
URN:urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-644459
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2021.05.006
ISSN:2214-367X
Parent Title (English):Travel behaviour and society
Publisher:Elsevier
Place of publication:Amsterdam [u.a.]
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Date of Publication (online):2021/06/09
Date of first Publication:2021/06/09
Publishing Institution:Universitätsbibliothek Johann Christian Senckenberg
Release Date:2022/01/21
Tag:Bicycle use; Built environment; Cycling attitudes; Environment perception; Stage-based models; Travel behavior
Volume:25
Page Number:14
First Page:27
Last Page:40
Note:
This work has been funded by the LOEWE research funding program of the State of Hesse as part of the LOEWE research cluster 'Infrastructure – Design – Society'.
HeBIS-PPN:491339569
Institutes:Geowissenschaften / Geographie
Dewey Decimal Classification:3 Sozialwissenschaften / 38 Handel, Kommunikation, Verkehr / 380 Handel, Kommunikation, Verkehr
Sammlungen:Universitätspublikationen
Licence (German):License LogoCreative Commons - Namensnennung, Nicht kommerziell, Keine Bearbeitung 2.0