IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i16p12117-d1212750.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Choosing the Bicycle as a Mode of Transportation, the Influence of Infrastructure Perception, Travel Satisfaction and Pro-Environmental Attitude, the Case of Milan

Author

Listed:
  • Federica Biassoni

    (Traffic Psychology Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli, 1, 20123 Milan, Italy)

  • Chiara Lo Carmine

    (Traffic Psychology Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli, 1, 20123 Milan, Italy)

  • Paolo Perego

    (Traffic Psychology Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli, 1, 20123 Milan, Italy)

  • Martina Gnerre

    (Traffic Psychology Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli, 1, 20123 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

The present study investigates how infrastructure perception, travel satisfaction and pro-environmental attitudes influence the motivations for choosing cycling as a mode of transport. The effects of demographic variables and mobility habits are also taken into account. Data are collected via a survey with cyclists living in Milan and the surrounding areas. The survey comprises a first set of items to explore the cyclists’ transportation habits and three self-assessment questionnaires: The Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS)—A Short Form, The Satisfaction with Travel Scale (STS) and the Environmental Attitudes Inventory (EAI). A series of different multiple linear regression analyses and mediation models are conducted. The findings suggest that the frequency of cycling may be explained based on several factors. Males report cycling more frequently, younger adults report lower frequencies of bicycle use and the urban setting is more significantly related to bicycle use. Moreover, the results highlight the significant positive role of the perception of neighbourhoods (especially those with an easy access to non-residential areas) and of pro-environmental attitudes (especially of personal conservation behaviour) in promoting the frequency of bicycling, with the mediation effect of the variable ‘purpose of bicycle use’ (for leisure or to reach a destination) as well. Based on these findings, policymakers should focus on tailored strategies to promote cycling in different users.

Suggested Citation

  • Federica Biassoni & Chiara Lo Carmine & Paolo Perego & Martina Gnerre, 2023. "Choosing the Bicycle as a Mode of Transportation, the Influence of Infrastructure Perception, Travel Satisfaction and Pro-Environmental Attitude, the Case of Milan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-14, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:16:p:12117-:d:1212750
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/16/12117/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/16/12117/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jonas De Vos & Patricia L. Mokhtarian & Tim Schwanen & Veronique Van Acker & Frank Witlox, 2016. "Travel mode choice and travel satisfaction: bridging the gap between decision utility and experienced utility," Transportation, Springer, vol. 43(5), pages 771-796, September.
    2. Zuzanna Kłos-Adamkiewicz & Elżbieta Szaruga & Agnieszka Gozdek & Magdalena Kogut-Jaworska, 2023. "Links between the Energy Intensity of Public Urban Transport, Regional Economic Growth and Urbanisation: The Case of Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-25, April.
    3. repec:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2017.303898_3 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. 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.
    5. Jessica Schoner & David Levinson, 2014. "The missing link: bicycle infrastructure networks and ridership in 74 US cities," Transportation, Springer, vol. 41(6), pages 1187-1204, November.
    6. McAndrews, C. & Pollack, K.M. & Berrigan, D. & Dannenberg, A.L. & Christopher, E.J., 2017. "Understanding and improving arterial roads to support public health and transportation goals," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(8), pages 1278-1282.
    7. Jonas De Vos, 2019. "Analysing the effect of trip satisfaction on satisfaction with the leisure activity at the destination of the trip, in relationship with life satisfaction," Transportation, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 623-645, June.
    8. Nielsen, Thomas Alexander Sick & Skov-Petersen, Hans, 2018. "Bikeability – Urban structures supporting cycling. Effects of local, urban and regional scale urban form factors on cycling from home and workplace locations in Denmark," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 36-44.
    9. Michał Suchanek & Agnieszka Szmelter-Jarosz, 2019. "Environmental Aspects of Generation Y’s Sustainable Mobility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-13, June.
    10. Miriam Pirra & Sofia Kalakou & Angela Carboni & Mariana Costa & Marco Diana & Ana Rita Lynce, 2021. "A Preliminary Analysis on Gender Aspects in Transport Systems and Mobility Services: Presentation of a Survey Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-20, March.
    11. Pucher, John & Buehler, Ralph & Seinen, Mark, 2011. "Bicycling renaissance in North America? An update and re-appraisal of cycling trends and policies," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 45(6), pages 451-475, July.
    12. Ettema, Dick & Gärling, Tommy & Olsson, Lars E. & Friman, Margareta & Moerdijk, Sjef, 2013. "The road to happiness: Measuring Dutch car drivers’ satisfaction with travel," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 171-178.
    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. Garyfallos Arabatzis & Chrysovalantis Malesios & Georgios Kolkos & Apostolos Kantartzis & Panagiotis Lemonakis, 2024. "Quality of Life in the City of Trikala (Greece): Attitudes and Opinions of Residents on Green Spaces and Cycling Paths," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, November.

    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. Ghadir Pourhashem & Christina Georgouli & Eva Malichová & Milan Straka & Tatiana Kováčiková, 2024. "Factors influencing the perceived value of travel time in European urban areas," Transportation, Springer, vol. 51(4), pages 1525-1545, August.
    2. Zhu, Jing & Fan, Yingling, 2018. "Daily travel behavior and emotional well-being: Effects of trip mode, duration, purpose, and companionship," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 360-373.
    3. Van Acker, Veronique & Ho, Loan & Mulley, Corinne, 2021. "“Satisfaction lies in the effort”. Is Gandhi’s quote also true for satisfaction with commuting?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 214-227.
    4. Khaleghi, Marjan & Kato, Hirokazu, 2023. "Children’s non-school trips, travel-related subjective well-being, and life satisfaction: Evidence from young adolescents in rural Japan," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    5. Lades, Leonhard K. & Kelly, Andrew & Kelleher, Luke, 2020. "Why is active travel more satisfying than motorized travel? Evidence from Dublin," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 318-333.
    6. Mouratidis, Kostas & Ettema, Dick & Næss, Petter, 2019. "Urban form, travel behavior, and travel satisfaction," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 306-320.
    7. Jiankun Yang & Min He & Mingwei He, 2022. "Exploring the Group Difference in the Nonlinear Relationship between Commuting Satisfaction and Commuting Time," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-19, July.
    8. Mouratidis, Kostas, 2019. "Built environment and leisure satisfaction: The role of commute time, social interaction, and active travel," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    9. Ye, Runing & De Vos, Jonas & Ma, Liang, 2020. "Analysing the association of dissonance between actual and ideal commute time and commute satisfaction," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 47-60.
    10. Echeverría, Lucía & Gimenez-Nadal, J. Ignacio & Molina, José Alberto, 2022. "Green mobility and well-being," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    11. Tae‐Hyoung Tommy Gim, 2020. "The relationship between overall happiness and perceived transportation services relative to other individual and environmental variables," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(2), pages 712-733, June.
    12. Médard de Chardon, Cyrille, 2019. "The contradictions of bike-share benefits, purposes and outcomes," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 401-419.
    13. Lake Sagaris, 2015. "Lessons from 40 years of planning for cycle‐inclusion: Reflections from Santiago, Chile," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 39(1), pages 64-81, February.
    14. De Vos, Jonas, 2018. "Do people travel with their preferred travel mode? Analysing the extent of travel mode dissonance and its effect on travel satisfaction," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 261-274.
    15. De Vos, Jonas & Witlox, Frank, 2017. "Travel satisfaction revisited. On the pivotal role of travel satisfaction in conceptualising a travel behaviour process," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 364-373.
    16. Lin Zhao & Hongzhen Zhu & Dongmei Liu & Liping Yang & Xiaohua Zhao, 2022. "Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process Used to Determine the Significance of the Contributing Factors for Generalized Travel Satisfaction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-17, September.
    17. Houde, Maxime & Apparicio, Philippe & Séguin, Anne-Marie, 2018. "A ride for whom: Has cycling network expansion reduced inequities in accessibility in Montreal, Canada?," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 9-21.
    18. Hudyeron Rocha & António Lobo & José Pedro Tavares & Sara Ferreira, 2023. "Exploring Modal Choices for Sustainable Urban Mobility: Insights from the Porto Metropolitan Area in Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-20, October.
    19. Jonas De Vos & E. Owen D. Waygood & Laurence Letarte & Mengqiu Cao, 2022. "Do frequent satisfying trips by public transport impact its intended use in later life?," Transportation, Springer, vol. 49(4), pages 1245-1263, August.
    20. Hook, Hannah & De Vos, Jonas & Van Acker, Veronique & Witlox, Frank, 2021. "Do travel options influence how commute time satisfaction relates to the residential built environment?," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).

    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:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:16:p:12117-:d:1212750. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.