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Overcoming barriers to cycling: understanding frequency of cycling in a University setting and the factors preventing commuters from cycling on a regular basis

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  • Kevin Manaugh

    (McGill School of Environment)

  • Geneviève Boisjoly

    (McGill University)

  • Ahmed El-Geneidy

    (McGill University)

Abstract

Much local and regional transport policy is attempting to increase cycling as an everyday mode of travel through infrastructure changes, education initiatives, and safety campaigns. While considerable research has examined the influence of the built form on cycling, less research has examined the barriers that prevent people who wish to cycle more (as part of their routine) from doing so. This study examines several factors influencing the frequency by which people do (and do not) cycle in a campus setting in a large metropolitan area. Mixed methods reveal differences between barriers to cycling as well as the relative strength of these barriers across categories of age, sex, and current mode used. A multinomial logit model, which controls for residential self-selection effects, predicts whether and how often a respondent cycles based on socio-demographic and trip characteristics. The presence of cycle paths is found to be strongly associated with a higher frequency of cycling commutes. Additionally, an analysis of stated barriers reveals effort and a lack of safety as the most important barriers to potential cyclists. Finally, a qualitative analysis of respondents’ open-ended responses confirms the influence of bicycle paths, but reveals other factors such as the importance of improved interactions among various street users. Findings from this research can be of benefit to transportation engineers and planners who are aiming to increase the use of cycling among various groups of commuters.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin Manaugh & Geneviève Boisjoly & Ahmed El-Geneidy, 2017. "Overcoming barriers to cycling: understanding frequency of cycling in a University setting and the factors preventing commuters from cycling on a regular basis," Transportation, Springer, vol. 44(4), pages 871-884, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:transp:v:44:y:2017:i:4:d:10.1007_s11116-016-9682-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11116-016-9682-x
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    3. Tatiana Cantillo & Andrés Vargas & Víctor Cantillo & José Ramos, 2020. "What determines university student’s willingness to pay for bikeways?," Transportation, Springer, vol. 47(5), pages 2267-2286, October.
    4. Fernando Fonseca & Paulo Ribeiro & Carolina Neiva, 2023. "A Planning Practice Method to Assess the Potential for Cycling and to Design a Bicycle Network in a Starter Cycling City in Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-17, March.
    5. Hossain, Sanjana & Loa, Patrick & Ong, Felita & Habib, Khandker Nurul, 2022. "The determinants of commute mode usage frequency of post-secondary students in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 164-185.
    6. Nguyen, Minh Hieu & Pojani, Dorina, 2024. "The effect of fuel price fluctuations on utilitarian cycling rates: A survey of cyclists in Vietnam," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    7. Audrius Dėdelė & Auksė Miškinytė, 2021. "Promoting Sustainable Mobility: A Perspective from Car and Public Transport Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-17, April.
    8. Hong, Jinhyun & Philip McArthur, David & Stewart, Joanna L., 2020. "Can providing safe cycling infrastructure encourage people to cycle more when it rains? The use of crowdsourced cycling data (Strava)," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 109-121.
    9. Bhat, Chandra R. & Mondal, Aupal, 2022. "A New Flexible Generalized Heterogeneous Data Model (GHDM) with an Application to Examine the Effect of High Density Neighborhood Living on Bicycling Frequency," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 244-266.
    10. Qiang Liu & Toshiaki Yamada & Hang Liu & Li Lin & Qiaoling Fang, 2022. "Healthy Behavior and Environmental Behavior Correlate with Bicycle Commuting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-12, March.
    11. Antonio Castillo-Paredes & Natalia Inostroza Jiménez & Maribel Parra-Saldías & Ximena Palma-Leal & José Luis Felipe & Itziar Págola Aldazabal & Ximena Díaz-Martínez & Fernando Rodríguez-Rodríguez, 2021. "Environmental and Psychosocial Barriers Affect the Active Commuting to University in Chilean Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
    12. Vallejo-Borda, Jose Agustin & Giesen, Ricardo & Basnak, Paul & Reyes, José P. & Mella Lira, Beatriz & Beck, Matthew J. & Hensher, David A. & Ortúzar, Juan de Dios, 2022. "Characterising public transport shifting to active and private modes in South American capitals during the COVID-19 pandemic," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 186-205.
    13. Iwińska, Katarzyna & Blicharska, Malgorzata & Pierotti, Livia & Tainio, Marko & de Nazelle, Audrey, 2018. "Cycling in Warsaw, Poland – Perceived enablers and barriers according to cyclists and non-cyclists," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 291-301.
    14. Jinhyun Hong & David McArthur & Varun Raturi, 2020. "Did Safe Cycling Infrastructure Still Matter During a COVID-19 Lockdown?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-15, October.

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