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Exploring Bikeability in a Suburban Metropolitan Area Using the Active Commuting Route Environment Scale (ACRES)

Author

Listed:
  • Lina Wahlgren

    (The Research Unit for Movement, Health and Environment, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, GIH, SE-114 86 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Peter Schantz

    (The Research Unit for Movement, Health and Environment, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, GIH, SE-114 86 Stockholm, Sweden
    Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, SE-831 25 Östersund, Sweden)

Abstract

Background and Aim: Commuting by bicycle could contribute to public health, and route environments may influence this behaviour. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the potential associations between appraisals of the overall route environment as hindering or stimulating for bicycle commuting, with both perceptions of commuting route environmental factors in a suburban area and background factors. Methods: The Active Commuting Route Environment Scale (ACRES) was used for the assessment of bicycle commuters’ perceptions and appraisals of their route environments in the suburban parts of Greater Stockholm, Sweden. A simultaneous multiple regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between the outcome variable whether the overall route environment hinders or stimulates bicycle commuting and environmental factors (e.g., exhaust fumes , speeds of motor vehicles , greenery ), as well as background factors ( sex , age , education , income ) as predictor variables. Results and Conclusions: The results indicate that in suburban areas, the factors aesthetics, greenery and bicycle paths seem to be, independently of each other, stimulating factors for bicycle commuting. On the other hand, flows of motor vehicles, noise, and low “directness” of the route seem to be hindering factors. A comparison of these results with those obtained from an inner urban area points to the importance of studying different types of built-up areas separately.

Suggested Citation

  • Lina Wahlgren & Peter Schantz, 2014. "Exploring Bikeability in a Suburban Metropolitan Area Using the Active Commuting Route Environment Scale (ACRES)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-25, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:11:y:2014:i:8:p:8276-8300:d:39243
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Saelens, B.E. & Sallis, J.F. & Black, J.B. & Chen, D., 2003. "Neighborhood-Based Differences in Physical Activity: An Environment Scale Evaluation," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 93(9), pages 1552-1558.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dan Andersson & Lina Wahlgren & Karin Sofia Elisabeth Olsson & Peter Schantz, 2023. "Pedestrians’ Perceptions of Motorized Traffic Variables in Relation to Appraisals of Urban Route Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-27, February.
    2. Cunha, Isabel & Silva, Cecília, 2023. "Assessing the equity impact of cycling infrastructure allocation: Implications for planning practice," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 15-26.
    3. Tufail Ahmed & Ali Pirdavani & Geert Wets & Davy Janssens, 2024. "Bicycle Infrastructure Design Principles in Urban Bikeability Indices: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-23, March.
    4. Alex Antonio Florindo & Ligia Vizeu Barrozo & Gavin Turrell & João Paulo dos Anjos Souza Barbosa & William Cabral-Miranda & Chester Luiz Galvão Cesar & Moisés Goldbaum, 2018. "Cycling for Transportation in Sao Paulo City: Associations with Bike Paths, Train and Subway Stations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-12, March.
    5. Ugo N. Castañon & Paulo J. G. Ribeiro & José F. G. Mendes, 2024. "Evaluating Urban Bikeability: A Comprehensive Assessment of Póvoa de Varzim’s Network," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-28, October.

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