Promoting the Use of Bicycles for Transportation and Access to Bus Stations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Most research on bicycling and public transportation integration centers around the developed world and inter-modal bicycle–train travel. Similarly, existing research into the factors influencing bicycling to public transport focuses solely on one aspect of the issue, such as physical infrastructure, social environment, user or individual characteristics, etc. On the other hand, interventions to promote bicycling are less likely to be successful when carried out together since there can be multiple levels of barriers and enablers to bicycling. Hence, this study addresses this gap and utilizes a socio-ecological model as a theoretical foundation to understand the potential of using bicycles as a feeder for bus services by analyzing the barriers and enablers. Data were collected through a face-to-face questionnaire survey conducted in public spaces, including bus stops in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Two binary logistics models were developed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to analyze the key factors influencing bicycle use as a feeder mode to public buses. The findings reveal that individual socio-demographic factors, reported barriers, and enablers are essential in explaining the users’ likelihood of bicycle use in accessing public buses. The barriers model indicates that existing bicycle parking facilities, bicycle theft and safety issues, bus reliability, and distance to bus stops play an essential role. Effective shading, dedicated bicycle tracks, appropriate lighting, and vital public services are explanatory for the enablers model. The findings offer valuable insights and policy recommendations to improve bicycling infrastructure and promote comprehensive accessibility to public transportation.