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Bicycling Today: Establishing and Learning from the State of the Art

A topical collection in Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This collection belongs to the section "Sustainable Transportation".

Viewed by 77066

Editors

Dr. Alexandros Nikitas

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Huddersfield Business School, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
Interests: sustainable transport; travel behaviour change; shared use mobility; active transport; bicycling; bike-sharing; connected and autonomous vehicles; MaaS
Dr. Efthimios Bakogiannis

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Sustainable Mobility Unit, National Technical University Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece
Interests: sustainable transport; bicycling; sharing; mobility
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

For decades, the automobile has redefined cities and societies reaching the status of urban development’s prime cornestone. Since car use has been linked with increased greenhouse gas emissions, local air and noise pollution, climate change, traffic accidents, chronic diseases, declines in physical activity and obesity, this era of car-dictated thinking needs to reach an end in favour of a ‘new day’ marked by a more balanced modal share.

One of the keys towards such a mobility paradigm transition is replacing a significant proportion of car trips with active transportation options. The fact that about half of all car trips are less than five miles underlines how critical, and potentially achievable, this ‘replacement’ task is for transport policymakers.

Cycling, a travel mode that typically allows road users to travel three to five times longer access distances than walking and access a 25 times larger area, should be central to this task, especially because of its potential to develop a symbiotic relationship with public transport through its capacity to provide flexible last mile services. Cycling is sustainable, energy-efficient, inexpensive and improves health and fitness and slowly but steadily, at least for some parts of the world, is regaining some momentum after being in the shadows of cars for too long. However, the establishement and promotion of bike-friendly planning, design, transport policy and infrastructure investments do not necessarily always replicate this trend. Research needs to demonstrate opportunities and challenges in nurturing a procycling ethos and support knowledge exchange of best practice lessons.

This Special Issue endeavours to create an interdisciplinary forum that will focus on cycling research advancements and welcomes papers that examine:

  • the environmental, health and societal impact of cycling;
  • cycling and travel behaviour in metropolitan, urban and rural areas;
  • perceptions/attitudes reflecting and affecting cycling use and uptake;
  • pro-cycling transport policies and interventions and their impact on cycling adoption and bike usage rates;
  • case studies and best practice in bicycling;
  • bike-sharing successes and failures (for station-based or dockless bike fleets);
  • electric/pedal assisting bicycling usage and acceptance;
  • synergies between cycling and public transport;
  • synergies between cycling and walking;
  • bicycling safety;
  • cycling infrastructure and urban planning;
  • cycling as a means of nurturing a more sustainable mobility ethos.

Dr. Alexandros Nikitas
Dr. Efthimios Bakogiannis
Collection Editors

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Keywords

  • Cycling
  • Bicycling
  • Electric bicycles
  • Pedal assisting bicycles
  • Bike-sharing
  • Public bicycles
  • Transport policy
  • Travel behaviour

Published Papers (17 papers)

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2023

Jump to: 2021, 2020, 2019

20 pages, 1141 KiB  
Article
Identifying and Modeling the Factors That Affect Bicycle Users’ Satisfaction
by Kyriakos Ketikidis, Apostolos Papagiannakis and Socrates Basbas
Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 13666; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813666 - 13 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 769
Abstract
The parameters that affect bicyclists’ satisfaction are of vital importance when it comes to determining the reasons that endure bicycle usage in an urban environment. This research refers to the factors that affect bicycle users’ satisfaction with the existing infrastructure in the Municipality [...] Read more.
The parameters that affect bicyclists’ satisfaction are of vital importance when it comes to determining the reasons that endure bicycle usage in an urban environment. This research refers to the factors that affect bicycle users’ satisfaction with the existing infrastructure in the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Greece. Bicycle dependence in Thessaloniki is relatively limited when it is compared to other European cities with similar topological and demographic characteristics. This article aims to determine the most suitable measures that policymakers should implement to enhance bicycle infrastructure. The data collection process was realized through an online questionnaire survey addressed to the bicycle organizations and groups that are situated in Thessaloniki. Inferential statistical analysis investigated the dependency between the perceived satisfaction and the perceived level of safety of cyclists. Ordinal and multinomial logistic regressions were applied to identify the significant problems that influenced cyclists’ satisfaction, as well as the most important improvement measures suggested by the survey participants. The findings revealed that the lack of safety and urban integration of bicycle infrastructures were the statistically significant issues affecting users’ satisfaction. The development of a safe, integrated, and interconnected bicycle network area emerges as a priority to increase cyclists’ satisfaction and daily bicycle trips in cities with low bicycle culture. Full article
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2021

Jump to: 2023, 2020, 2019

25 pages, 392 KiB  
Article
Cycling in the Era of COVID-19: Lessons Learnt and Best Practice Policy Recommendations for a More Bike-Centric Future
by Alexandros Nikitas, Stefanos Tsigdinos, Christos Karolemeas, Efthymia Kourmpa and Efthimios Bakogiannis
Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 4620; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094620 - 21 Apr 2021
Cited by 102 | Viewed by 21509
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our cities in monumental ways with no sector likely being more severely impacted than transport. Lockdowns, physical spacing, transport restrictions and stay-at-home guidelines have transformed personal mobility and highlighted the mistakes of an unbalanced pro-car culture that defined [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our cities in monumental ways with no sector likely being more severely impacted than transport. Lockdowns, physical spacing, transport restrictions and stay-at-home guidelines have transformed personal mobility and highlighted the mistakes of an unbalanced pro-car culture that defined a century of urban planning. One immediate effect of the virus in relation to travel demand and supply was the emergence of active travel modes because of their unique ability to provide a socially distanced way of transport. Cycling is one of the modes that has enjoyed significant attention. Numerous cities have reallocated street and public space to cyclists and introduced pro-bike interventions like pop-up cycle lanes, e-bike subsidies, free bike-share use and traffic calming measures. This newly found outbreak-induced momentum creates an opportunity to establish a new ethos that allows the promotion of potentially permanent strategies that may help cycling to be (re-)established as a robust, mainstream and resilient travel mode for inner city trips and not as a second-class alternative operating under the automobile’s giant shadow. This paper provides a state-of-the-art description of the anti-COVID cycling-friendly initiatives that have been introduced globally, the successes and failures of these initiatives, the lessons learnt that can help us redefine the bicycle’s role in local societies today and a best cycling practice policy guide for planning a more bike-centric future. Full article
21 pages, 5938 KiB  
Article
Heat, Hills and the High Season: A Model-Based Comparative Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Factors Affecting Shared Bicycle Use in Three Southern European Islands
by Suzanne Maas, Paraskevas Nikolaou, Maria Attard and Loukas Dimitriou
Sustainability 2021, 13(6), 3274; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063274 - 16 Mar 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2245
Abstract
Bicycle sharing systems (BSSs) have been implemented in cities worldwide in an attempt to promote cycling. Despite exhibiting characteristics considered to be barriers to cycling, such as hot summers, hilliness and car-oriented infrastructure, Southern European island cities and tourist destinations Limassol (Cyprus), Las [...] Read more.
Bicycle sharing systems (BSSs) have been implemented in cities worldwide in an attempt to promote cycling. Despite exhibiting characteristics considered to be barriers to cycling, such as hot summers, hilliness and car-oriented infrastructure, Southern European island cities and tourist destinations Limassol (Cyprus), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) and the Valletta conurbation (Malta) are all experiencing the implementation of BSSs and policies to promote cycling. In this study, a year of trip data and secondary datasets are used to analyze dock-based BSS usage in the three case-study cities. How land use, socio-economic, network and temporal factors influence BSS use at station locations, both as an origin and as a destination, was examined using bivariate correlation analysis and through the development of linear mixed models for each case study. Bivariate correlations showed significant positive associations with the number of cafes and restaurants, vicinity to the beach or promenade and the percentage of foreign population at the BSS station locations in all cities. A positive relation with cycling infrastructure was evident in Limassol and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, but not in Malta, as no cycling infrastructure is present in the island’s conurbation, where the BSS is primarily operational. Elevation had a negative association with BSS use in all three cities. In Limassol and Malta, where seasonality in weather patterns is strongest, a negative effect of rainfall and a positive effect of higher temperature were observed. Although there was a positive association between BSS use and the number of visiting tourists in Limassol and Malta, this is predominantly explained through the multi-collinearity with weather factors rather than by intensive use of the BSS by tourists. The linear mixed models showed more fine-grained results and explained differences in BSS use at stations, including differences for station use as an origin and as a destination. The insights from the correlation analysis and linear mixed models can be used to inform policies promoting cycling and BSS use and support sustainable mobility policies in the case-study cities and cities with similar characteristics. Full article
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18 pages, 2192 KiB  
Article
A New User-Based Incentive Strategy for Improving Bike Sharing Systems’ Performance
by Rayane El Sibai, Khalil Challita, Jacques Bou Abdo and Jacques Demerjian
Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2780; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052780 - 04 Mar 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1861
Abstract
The benefits of having a Bike Sharing System (BSS) in a city are numerous. Among other advantages, it promotes a cleaner environment with less traffic and pollution. One major problem the users of such services encounter is that of full or empty stations, [...] Read more.
The benefits of having a Bike Sharing System (BSS) in a city are numerous. Among other advantages, it promotes a cleaner environment with less traffic and pollution. One major problem the users of such services encounter is that of full or empty stations, causing user dissatisfaction. The objective of this work is to propose a new user-based incentive method to enhance BSS performance. The proposed method relies on a spatial outlier detection algorithm. It consists of adapting the departure and arrival stations of the users to the BSS state by stimulating the users to change their journeys in view of minimizing the number of full and empty stations. Experiments are carried out to compare our proposed method to some existing methods for enhancing the resource availability of BSSs, and they are performed on a real dataset issued from a well-known BSS called Velib. The results show that the proposed strategy improves the availability of BSS resources, even when the collaboration of users is partial. Full article
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19 pages, 4945 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of a New Urban Cycling Infrastructure in Caceres (Spain)
by Pedro Plasencia-Lozano
Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 1910; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041910 - 10 Feb 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2681
Abstract
The purpose of the research is the evaluation of the impact of a new bike lane network built in Cáceres (Spain) in October 2019, a city with a weak tradition in the use of bicycles. Prior to the new project, the percentage of [...] Read more.
The purpose of the research is the evaluation of the impact of a new bike lane network built in Cáceres (Spain) in October 2019, a city with a weak tradition in the use of bicycles. Prior to the new project, the percentage of displacement by bicycle was under 0.2% (by contrast, private cars was 56%). The project has introduced a real network in 33 new streets and avenues, and 250 new parking places for bicycles. The impact has been evaluated by two online surveys, one conducted in November–December 2019 just after the inauguration, and the other conducted in January–February 2020. For that, the impact evolution after the first 3 months has also been evaluated. The result allows to analyze the citizens’ response to the new infrastructure; the main conclusion is that the effect of the built infrastructure is clearly positive in terms of new users, new potential users, and bike general image for the citizens. Moreover, this positive effect has grown after the first 3 months. Full article
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26 pages, 2226 KiB  
Review
Challenges and Opportunities in Dock-Based Bike-Sharing Rebalancing: A Systematic Review
by Carlos M. Vallez, Mario Castro and David Contreras
Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 1829; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041829 - 08 Feb 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4017
Abstract
Bike-sharing systems (BSS) have raised in popularity in the last years due to their potential share in sustainable cities. Although the first attempts to implement a bike-sharing public service date back to 1965 (Amsterdam), their widespread use arrived with the millennium becoming a [...] Read more.
Bike-sharing systems (BSS) have raised in popularity in the last years due to their potential share in sustainable cities. Although the first attempts to implement a bike-sharing public service date back to 1965 (Amsterdam), their widespread use arrived with the millennium becoming a vibrant research area whose activity has increased steadily in the last decade. Several authors have attempted to summarize the current state of the art, but the literature on BSS is still scattered in different fields. Thus, there is a lack of literature that summarizes and categorizes the available research on BSS. In this paper, we perform a thorough review of the challenges behind rebalancing in bike-sharing systems. The objectives of this paper are to collect papers on the repositioning problem in dock-based bike-sharing services, classify them and point to novel research venues. We render a keyword analysis in the literature and a timeline that shows the evolution of those keywords throughout the last decade. We also include an exhaustive table that will assist researchers from different disciplines to address the open challenges in the field and to transition towards more sustainable cities. Full article
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25 pages, 8625 KiB  
Article
Traffic Simulation Analysis of Bicycle Highways in Urban Areas
by Georgios Grigoropoulos, Seyed Abdollah Hosseini, Andreas Keler, Heather Kaths, Matthias Spangler, Fritz Busch and Klaus Bogenberger
Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1016; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031016 - 20 Jan 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3203
Abstract
The ongoing increase of bicycle traffic in urban areas forces transport authorities to reconsider the space allocation for different transport modes. Transport policies favor the introduction of high-quality bicycle infrastructure along urban corridors to improve the traffic quality and safety for bicyclists but [...] Read more.
The ongoing increase of bicycle traffic in urban areas forces transport authorities to reconsider the space allocation for different transport modes. Transport policies favor the introduction of high-quality bicycle infrastructure along urban corridors to improve the traffic quality and safety for bicyclists but more importantly to increase the attractiveness of bicycling and over vehicular modes. Especially in urban areas with an already established high and steadily increasing share of bicyclists, the introduction of bicycle highways is considered to further alleviate saturated interurban public transport and motor vehicle connections and increase the average traveled distance by non-motorized modes. Due to the expensive implementation costs and the space restrictions in already built-up urban environments, there should be an extensive planning phase for defining the expected changes in traffic efficiency and safety. However, the effects of urban bicycle highways on traffic performance metrics of bicyclists as well as other road users are not thoroughly studied. This paper aims to quantify and assess the potential effects of urban bicycle highway on road users. The study considers a possible inner-city pilot route in the city of Munich, where the present bicycle infrastructure is planned to be upgraded to a bicycle highway. A simulation model is designed using traffic data from field observations and future estimates for the traffic composition. Through microscopic traffic simulation, the potential effects of the introduced infrastructure on road users are determined for different study scenarios. Results show that traffic quality thresholds for bicycle highways, as defined in official guidelines, can only be fulfilled through the implementation of special bicycle traffic control measures such as bicycle coordination or bicycle passage time extension. Finally, unidirectional bicycle highways together with bicycle passage time extension provided the best overall traffic performance for bicycle traffic and motor vehicle traffic. Full article
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14 pages, 3365 KiB  
Article
The Munich Bikeability Index: A Practical Approach for Measuring Urban Bikeability
by Jonas Schmid-Querg, Andreas Keler and Georgios Grigoropoulos
Sustainability 2021, 13(1), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010428 - 05 Jan 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6909
Abstract
This research addresses the phenomenon of varying bicycle friendliness in urban areas and considers which elements are necessary to design a city in a bike-friendly manner. It aims to provide a deeper understanding of the term bikeability, in relation to the established term [...] Read more.
This research addresses the phenomenon of varying bicycle friendliness in urban areas and considers which elements are necessary to design a city in a bike-friendly manner. It aims to provide a deeper understanding of the term bikeability, in relation to the established term walkability, and methods to create models that measure the degree of bikeability in urban areas. We explain different established models and compare their computational bases. The focus of this paper is to define a computational methodology built within a Geographic Information System (GIS) and a subsequent evaluation based on an investigation area in Munich, Germany. We introduce a bikeability index for specific investigation areas and geovisualize four selected factors of this index. The resulting map views show the road segments of the traffic network where the conditions for biking are adequate, but also those segments which need to be improved. Full article
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2020

Jump to: 2023, 2021, 2019

12 pages, 1248 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Bike-Sharing Usage: The Case of Thessaloniki, Greece
by Andreas Nikiforiadis, Georgia Ayfantopoulou and Afroditi Stamelou
Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8215; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198215 - 05 Oct 2020
Cited by 115 | Viewed by 7616
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect in urban mobility, while essential changes are being observed in travelers’ behavior. Travelers in many cases shifted to other transport modes, especially walking and cycling, for minimizing the risk of infection. This study attempts to investigate [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect in urban mobility, while essential changes are being observed in travelers’ behavior. Travelers in many cases shifted to other transport modes, especially walking and cycling, for minimizing the risk of infection. This study attempts to investigate the impact that COVID-19 had on travelers’ perceptions towards bike-sharing systems and whether the pandemic could result in a greater or lesser share of trips that are being conducted through shared bikes. For that reason, a questionnaire survey was carried out in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece, and the responses of 223 people were analyzed statistically. The results of the analysis show that COVID-19 will not affect significantly the number of people using bike-sharing for their trips. However, for a proportion of people, bike-sharing is now more attractive. Moreover, the results indicate that bike-sharing is now more likely to become a more preferable mobility option for people who were previously commuting with private cars as passengers (not as drivers) and people who were already registered users in a bike-sharing system. The results also provide evidence about the importance of safety towards COVID-19 for engaging more users in bike-sharing, in order to provide them with a safe mobility option and contribute to the city’s resilience and sustainability. Full article
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16 pages, 1318 KiB  
Article
Using Multivariate Statistical Methods to Analyze High-Quality Bicycle Path Service Systems: A Case Study of Popular Bicycle Paths in Taiwan
by Shinn-Jou Lin, Guey-Shin Shyu, Wei-Ta Fang and Bai-You Cheng
Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 7185; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177185 - 02 Sep 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2967
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 [...] Read more.
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. Full article
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17 pages, 1086 KiB  
Article
Trip and Personal Characteristics towards the Intention to Cycle in Larnaca, Cyprus: An EFA-SEM Approach
by Paraskevas Nikolaou, Socrates Basbas, Ioannis Politis and Georgios Borg
Sustainability 2020, 12(10), 4250; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104250 - 22 May 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2726
Abstract
Mobility is one of the most important and challenging aspects that influence climate change, air quality, and especially the quality of citizens’ lives. Therefore, creating sustainable transport solutions makes way for different modes of transport such as the bicycle, which is continuously gaining [...] Read more.
Mobility is one of the most important and challenging aspects that influence climate change, air quality, and especially the quality of citizens’ lives. Therefore, creating sustainable transport solutions makes way for different modes of transport such as the bicycle, which is continuously gaining more supporters, due to the health, economic, and environmental benefits that it provides. However, cyclists are facing several barriers (e.g., lack of infrastructure), a fact that keeps away commuters from using a bicycle for their daily trips. Investigating the factors that reflect on the commuters’ intention to use a bicycle is a sine qua non for the promotion of sustainable mobility. Therefore, the objective of this paper is the investigation of the factors that prevent residents with low experience or with no cultural/lifestyle background in regards to cycling from cycling. The case study of the city of Larnaca (Cyprus) is deployed by exploring the socio-demographic and trip characteristics of the city’s residents and their relation with the intention to cycle. A two-step approach is developed, namely Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Despite the promotion of cycling that education is attempting to do (successfully), other factors (such as age, distance, and time) appear to prevent Larnaca’s residents from cycling. Among the actions that local authorities should undertake is that of safety prevention of the vulnerable users of the road network. This group includes elderly people, who need major encouraging interventions by local policymakers and stakeholders. Full article
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14 pages, 6382 KiB  
Article
A Bicycle Origin–Destination Matrix Estimation Based on a Two-Stage Procedure
by Seungkyu Ryu
Sustainability 2020, 12(7), 2951; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12072951 - 07 Apr 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2411
Abstract
As more people choose to travel by bicycle, transportation planners are beginning to recognize the need to rethink the way they evaluate and plan transportation facilities to meet local mobility needs. A modal shift towards bicycles motivates a change in transportation planning to [...] Read more.
As more people choose to travel by bicycle, transportation planners are beginning to recognize the need to rethink the way they evaluate and plan transportation facilities to meet local mobility needs. A modal shift towards bicycles motivates a change in transportation planning to accommodate more bicycles. However, the current methods to estimate bicycle volumes on a transportation network are limited. The purpose of this research is to address those limitations through the development of a two-stage bicycle origin–destination (O–D) matrix estimation process that would provide a different perspective on bicycle modeling. From the first stage, a primary O–D matrix is produced by a gravity model, and the second stage refines that primary matrix generated in the first stage using a Path Flow Estimator (PFE) to build the finalized O–D demand. After a detailed description of the methodology, the paper demonstrates the capability of the proposed model for a bicycle demand matrix estimation tool with a real network case study. Full article
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23 pages, 6927 KiB  
Article
Risk Perception Sensitivity of Cyclists Based on the Cox Risk Perception Model
by Dan Zhao, Shengrui Zhang, Bei Zhou, Shuaiyang Jiao and Ling Yang
Sustainability 2020, 12(7), 2613; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12072613 - 25 Mar 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2243
Abstract
To promote the sustainable development and safety of bicycle traffic, survival analysis of the risk perception sensitivity of cyclists is proposed. The cumulative probability of survival serves as an index of risk perception sensitivity, and a Cox regression model is established. The proposed [...] Read more.
To promote the sustainable development and safety of bicycle traffic, survival analysis of the risk perception sensitivity of cyclists is proposed. The cumulative probability of survival serves as an index of risk perception sensitivity, and a Cox regression model is established. The proposed method is applied to middle school cyclists, and the factors of their risk perception are analyzed. Data are collected by questionnaire and traffic conflict survey and are quantified by factor analysis. The model results show that active and extroverted personality, negative peer influence, unsafe riding behavior intention, non-motor vehicle flow and speed, and a lack of separation facilities have negative correlations with risk perception sensitivity. Positive attitude towards traffic rules, good family education, heightened traffic safety awareness, motor vehicle flow and speed, pedestrian flow, and non-motorized lane width have positive correlations with risk perception sensitivity. The conflict type has no correlation with risk perception sensitivity. This study aims to improve the sensitivity of risk perception, prevent traffic conflicts and provide a theoretical basis for risk perception research on vulnerable traffic participants. Full article
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15 pages, 241 KiB  
Article
Exploring Motivators and Deterrents of Cycling Tourism Using Qualitative Social Research Methods and Participative Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)
by Efthimios Bakogiannis, Thanos Vlastos, Konstantinos Athanasopoulos, Avgi Vassi, Georgia Christodoulopoulou, Christos Karolemeas, Stefanos Tsigdinos, Charalampos Kyriakidis, Maria-Stella Noutsou, Maria Siti, Trisevgeni Papagerasimou-Klironomou, Ismini Stroumpou and Eleftheria Tzika
Sustainability 2020, 12(6), 2418; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062418 - 19 Mar 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3768
Abstract
Cycling tourism is an environmentally friendly way to explore a destination. Nowadays, it is becoming more and more popular worldwide, since it permits an in-depth communication both with nature and people. In this context, the aim of this paper is to explore, in [...] Read more.
Cycling tourism is an environmentally friendly way to explore a destination. Nowadays, it is becoming more and more popular worldwide, since it permits an in-depth communication both with nature and people. In this context, the aim of this paper is to explore, in detail, mainly the environmental motivators of cycling tourists, and their significance, in Greece, by using qualitative social research (in-depth interviews and focus groups) and participative analytical hierarchical process. The results show that regarding physical environment, the element which attracts cycle tourists the most is the variety of scenic views along their route. Existence of lakes, rivers and beaches were also valued. On the contrary, “Biodiversity” and “Untouched natural landscapes” were ranked low as a description of the quality of the natural environment. However, the rise of cycling tourism depends considerably on the appropriate infrastructure, namely roads with low slopes, appropriate quality of surfaces and cycling infrastructure. Planners, policy-makers, and competent authorities should give emphasis on the critical factors in order to enhance cycling tourism, thus resulting in positive multiplying effects such as environmental protection and economic growth. Full article
14 pages, 607 KiB  
Article
Development of a Cycle-Tourism Strategy in Greece Based on the Preferences of Potential Cycle-Tourists
by Efthimios Bakogiannis, Thanos Vlastos, Konstantinos Athanasopoulos, Georgia Christodoulopoulou, Christos Karolemeas, Charalampos Kyriakidis, Maria-Stella Noutsou, Trisevgeni Papagerasimou-Klironomou, Maria Siti, Ismini Stroumpou, Avgi Vassi, Stefanos Tsigdinos and Eleftheria Tzika
Sustainability 2020, 12(6), 2415; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062415 - 19 Mar 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4064
Abstract
Cycle-tourism seems to be an emerging touristic model in many countries, including Greece. Although the infrastructure is limited, entrepreneurship can support the development of such tourism sector, as cycle-tourists have specific needs to be met during an excursion. Thus, it would be helpful [...] Read more.
Cycle-tourism seems to be an emerging touristic model in many countries, including Greece. Although the infrastructure is limited, entrepreneurship can support the development of such tourism sector, as cycle-tourists have specific needs to be met during an excursion. Thus, it would be helpful if stores that meet specific prerequisites could be certificated as cycle-friendly companies. In order for such certification to be developed, it is necessary for those parameters to be defined. This paper focuses on that topic and such criteria were identified through in-depth interviews with cycle-tourists and cycle-tour operators. Through this research, conclusions were derived about the criteria according to which cycle-tourists in Greece select stores and accommodation during an excursion. Those selection parameters were transcribed to indicators that will be used in order to develop the certification at the next phase of the research. Moreover, conclusions were compared with outcomes of similar international studies. It was found that cycle-tourists are interested in specific services, regardless of the country in which they live or travel. Besides conventional touristic activities, the importance of small retail stores in remote villages acting as meeting points with local people and culture was highlighted. Full article
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14 pages, 2388 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Urban Vitality Using Bicycle-Sharing Data
by Peng Zeng, Ming Wei and Xiaoyang Liu
Sustainability 2020, 12(5), 1714; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051714 - 25 Feb 2020
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 2870
Abstract
In recent decades, the availability of diverse location-based service (LBS) data has largely stimulated the research in individual human mobility. However, less attention has been paid on the intra-city movement of cyclists coupled with their spatiotemporal dynamics. To fill the knowledge gap, drawing [...] Read more.
In recent decades, the availability of diverse location-based service (LBS) data has largely stimulated the research in individual human mobility. However, less attention has been paid on the intra-city movement of cyclists coupled with their spatiotemporal dynamics. To fill the knowledge gap, drawing on bicycle-sharing data over one week in Shanghai, China, this study investigates the dynamics of bicycle-sharing users at two spatial scales (i.e., city level and subdistrict level) and explores the intra-city spatial interactions by those cyclists. At the city level, by applying the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, this study examines the temporal variation of cyclists across a seven-day period. At the subdistrict level, we develop a new index to capture the urban vitality using bicycle-sharing data with the consideration of trip flow allied with spatial weights. In terms of the computed urban vitality over the course of a day, 98 subdistricts are partitioned into 7 groups by using K-means clustering. In addition, spatial autocorrelation and hot spot analysis are also applied to examine the spatial features of urban vitality at different periods. Our results reveal that urban vitality has an obvious character of the spatial cluster and this cluster feature varies markedly over the course of a day. By shedding new lights on intra-city movement, we argue our results are important in informing urban planners on how to better allocate public facilities and increase bicycle usage as a way to progress towards more sustainable urban areas. Full article
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2019

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19 pages, 2816 KiB  
Article
Risk-Perception Formation Considering Tangible and Non-Tangible Aspects of Cycling: A Flemish Case Study
by Zain Ul-Abdin, Pieter De Winne and Hans De Backer
Sustainability 2019, 11(22), 6474; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11226474 - 18 Nov 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3153
Abstract
Risk perception influences cycling attributes toward its adoption. Researchers are investigating attributes associated with risk formation. In this study, various attributes were selected which influence the user’s formation of risk perception. For this purpose, an online questionnaire survey was conducted in Flanders, among [...] Read more.
Risk perception influences cycling attributes toward its adoption. Researchers are investigating attributes associated with risk formation. In this study, various attributes were selected which influence the user’s formation of risk perception. For this purpose, an online questionnaire survey was conducted in Flanders, among all segments of the population (N = 774). Participants were asked questions for attributes relating to risk formation. Results suggested that risk formation among users evolves around tangible to non-tangible attributes. The spectrum of risk perception was developed which visualizes risk evolution, considering various attributes. Surprisingly, elements such as “comfort”, surface evenness, and policies were rated as being neutral. Infrastructure and the presence of opposite road users tend to be foreseen as critical factors for risk formation. Risk perception varies depending upon psychometric paradigm shifts, such as dread and unknown risk. This strange notion is considered to lie in a space between dread and unknown risk. This explains the difference in risk perception, knowingly or not knowingly (subconsciously), yet expressing cognitively and evolving inside. This is an interesting finding, but reasons behind such a motive need to be explained. A possible explanation behind such behavior is that people tend to change their responses due to knowledge acquisition during the survey. Full article
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