IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jotrge/v88y2020ics0966692320301599.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Wayfinding for cycle highways: Assessing e-bike users' experiences with wayfinding along a cycle highway in the Netherlands

Author

Listed:
  • van Lierop, D.
  • Soemers, J.
  • Hoeke, L.
  • Liu, G.
  • Chen, Z.
  • Ettema, D.
  • Kruijf, J.

Abstract

In many regions, governments are motivating increased bicycle ridership by designing new and improving existing bicycle infrastructure. Cycle highways are an effective and cost-efficient type of bicycle-specific infrastructure that are designed to provide a functional connection between places where people work, go to school and live. One important element of developing high quality cycle highways is the development of an effective wayfinding system which allows current, potential, and new users to clearly identify and navigate a bicycle network. The wayfinding design standards used for conventional bicycle infrastructure may not be compatible for cycle highways, which encourage cyclists to travel at relatively higher speeds. This may warrant introducing specific wayfinding signage compatible for this new type of bicycle infrastructure. This study uses qualitative analysis including field observations, ride-along videos, and semi-structured interviews, to assess electrically assisted pedal bicycle (e-bike) users' opinions and experiences with wayfinding signage along a pilot cycle highway route located between Tilburg and Waalwijk in the Netherlands. In the summer of 2018, base-line observations and interviews were administered with twelve e-bike users who were unfamiliar with the route to assess their experiences with conventional signage for cyclists before changes were made to the wayfinding system. Follow-up observations were held in the fall, after the installation of two new pilot wayfinding systems that were specifically designed to accommodate cycle highway users. Initial findings suggest that the changes made to the location, size and clarity of the signage improve cyclists' overall experiences, and that cyclists' perceptions of the built environment are important. Specifically, it became easier for users to navigate the route, their overall travel related stress decreased, and several participants perceived shorter travel times. Policy makers and transportation planners are likely to be interested in the results of this study as they reveal how specific improvements to wayfinding along cycle highways not only help improve navigation, but also positively influence cyclists' overall comfort and stress.

Suggested Citation

  • van Lierop, D. & Soemers, J. & Hoeke, L. & Liu, G. & Chen, Z. & Ettema, D. & Kruijf, J., 2020. "Wayfinding for cycle highways: Assessing e-bike users' experiences with wayfinding along a cycle highway in the Netherlands," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:88:y:2020:i:c:s0966692320301599
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2020.102827
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966692320301599
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2020.102827?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jones, Tim & Harms, Lucas & Heinen, Eva, 2016. "Motives, perceptions and experiences of electric bicycle owners and implications for health, wellbeing and mobility," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 41-49.
    2. Elliot Fishman & Christopher Cherry, 2016. "E-bikes in the Mainstream: Reviewing a Decade of Research," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(1), pages 72-91, January.
    3. Anna Charisse Farr & Tristan Kleinschmidt & Prasad Yarlagadda & Kerrie Mengersen, 2012. "Wayfinding: A simple concept, a complex process," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(6), pages 715-743, July.
    4. Skov-Petersen, Hans & Jacobsen, Jette Bredahl & Vedel, Suzanne Elizabeth & Thomas Alexander, Sick Nielsen & Rask, Simon, 2017. "Effects of upgrading to cycle highways - An analysis of demand induction, use patterns and satisfaction before and after," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 203-210.
    5. John Pucher & Ralph Buehler, 2017. "Cycling towards a more sustainable transport future," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(6), pages 689-694, November.
    6. Geoffrey Rose, 2012. "E-bikes and urban transportation: emerging issues and unresolved questions," Transportation, Springer, vol. 39(1), pages 81-96, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Jenkins, Michael & Lustosa, Lucio & Chia, Victoria & Wildish, Sarah & Tan, Maria & Hoornweg, Daniel & Lloyd, Meghann & Dogra, Shilpa, 2022. "What do we know about pedal assist E-bikes? A scoping review to inform future directions," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 25-37.
    2. Ravensbergen, Léa & Buliung, Ron & Sersli, Stephanie & Winters, Meghan, 2021. "Guest editorial: Critical Vélomobilities," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    3. Dea van Lierop & Francisco J. Bahamonde-Birke, 2023. "Commuting to the future: Assessing the relationship between individuals’ usage of information and communications technology, personal attitudes, characteristics and mode choice," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 353-371, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ziwen Ling & Christopher R. Cherry & John H. MacArthur & Jonathan X. Weinert, 2017. "Differences of Cycling Experiences and Perceptions between E-Bike and Bicycle Users in the United States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-18, September.
    2. Philips, Ian & Anable, Jillian & Chatterton, Tim, 2022. "E-bikes and their capability to reduce car CO2 emissions," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 11-23.
    3. Hallberg, Martin & Rasmussen, Thomas Kjær & Rich, Jeppe, 2021. "Modelling the impact of cycle superhighways and electric bicycles," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 397-418.
    4. Synek, Stefan & Koenigstorfer, Joerg, 2018. "Exploring adoption determinants of tax-subsidized company-leasing bicycles from the perspective of German employers and employees," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 238-260.
    5. Ballo, Lukas & de Freitas, Lucas Meyer & Meister, Adrian & Axhausen, Kay W., 2023. "The E-Bike City as a radical shift toward zero-emission transport: Sustainable? Equitable? Desirable?," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    6. Jurgis Zagorskas & Marija Burinskienė, 2019. "Challenges Caused by Increased Use of E-Powered Personal Mobility Vehicles in European Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, December.
    7. Eccarius, Timo & Leung, Abraham & Shen, Chung-Wei & Burke, Matthew & Lu, Chung-Cheng, 2021. "Prospects for shared electric velomobility: Profiling potential adopters at a multi-campus university," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    8. Georgia Apostolou & Angèle Reinders & Karst Geurs, 2018. "An Overview of Existing Experiences with Solar-Powered E-Bikes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-20, August.
    9. Michał Adam Kwiatkowski & Elżbieta Grzelak-Kostulska & Jadwiga Biegańska, 2021. "Could It Be a Bike for Everyone? The Electric Bicycle in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-19, August.
    10. Piras, Francesco & Sottile, Eleonora & Tuveri, Giovanni & Meloni, Italo, 2021. "Could there be spillover effects between recreational and utilitarian cycling? A multivariate model," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 297-311.
    11. Jenkins, Michael & Lustosa, Lucio & Chia, Victoria & Wildish, Sarah & Tan, Maria & Hoornweg, Daniel & Lloyd, Meghann & Dogra, Shilpa, 2022. "What do we know about pedal assist E-bikes? A scoping review to inform future directions," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 25-37.
    12. Anat Meir, 2022. "Can Complete-Novice E-Bike Riders Be Trained to Detect Unmaterialized Traffic Hazards in the Urban Environment? An Exploratory Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-21, August.
    13. Esther Salmeron-Manzano & Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro, 2018. "The Electric Bicycle: Worldwide Research Trends," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-16, July.
    14. Ton, Danique & Duives, Dorine, 2021. "Understanding long-term changes in commuter mode use of a pilot featuring free e-bike trials," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 134-144.
    15. Wafa Elias & Victoria Gitelman, 2018. "Youngsters’ Opinions and Attitudes toward the Use of Electric Bicycles in Israel," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-16, November.
    16. Paul Plazier & Gerd Weitkamp & Agnes van den Berg, 2023. "E-bikes in rural areas: current and potential users in the Netherlands," Transportation, Springer, vol. 50(4), pages 1449-1470, August.
    17. Jadwiga Biegańska & Elżbieta Grzelak-Kostulska & Michał Adam Kwiatkowski, 2021. "A Typology of Attitudes towards the E-Bike against the Background of the Traditional Bicycle and the Car," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-21, December.
    18. Sarmad Zaman Rajper & Johan Albrecht, 2020. "Prospects of Electric Vehicles in the Developing Countries: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-19, March.
    19. Wood, Astrid, 2020. "Tracing the absence of bike-share in Johannesburg: A case of policy mobilities and non-adoption," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    20. Nosratzadeh, Hossein & Bhowmick, Debjit & Carmona, Ana Belén Ríos & Thompson, Jason & Thai, Thao & Pearson, Lauren & Beck, Ben, 2024. "A scoping review of the design and characteristics of e-bike financial incentives," OSF Preprints 5xgch, Center for Open Science.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:88:y:2020:i:c:s0966692320301599. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-transport-geography .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.