Modeling the Effects of Pro Bicycle Infrastructure and Policies Toward Sustainable Urban Mobility
Publication: Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Volume 140, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper aims to determine the potential of the bicycle as a sustainable mode of transport in a medium-sized Spanish city (Santander, in northern Spain) with strong inclines and relatively inclement weather. For this purpose, a general methodology has been designed that could serve as an example for other areas. First, potential bicycle users in the city are characterized and identified through a household survey, which included a complete travel diary. Then they were asked to participate in a stated preference survey designed to find out the relative importance of certain key variables, previously identified, associated with making bicycle journeys. These data were used to estimate mixed logit models allowing to correctly treat the pseudopanel nature of the data. The results indicate that the most important variables among potential users are the cost and the climate, followed by the availability of infrastructure such as cycle paths and an extensive network of both public and private bicycle docking stations. Finally, the willingness to change from traditional modes of transport, such as car and bus, to bicycle has been examined according to various policies designed to encourage more sustainable mobility (such as bicycle and bus lanes and a city center congestion charge for private cars). The main finding of this research has been the identification of the conditions under which the bicycle could increase its market share from its current 0.30% up to 5.52% in a city with the characteristics of Santander (i.e., not in principle conducive to expect high bicycle use).
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the Spanish Ministry of Public Works (CEDEX), through their project “PRO-BICI: Metodología para la Planificación y Gestión de Estrategias de Promoción de la Bicicleta” (PT-2007-025-10IAPM). They are also grateful for the support of the Millennium Institute in Complex Engineering Systems (ICM: P-05-004-F; CONICYT: FBO16), the CEDEUS Centre, funded by CONICYT/FONDAP (15110020), and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
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Published In
Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Volume 140 • Issue 2 • June 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 17, 2013
Accepted: Sep 28, 2013
Published online: Oct 1, 2013
Published in print: Jun 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Jun 6, 2014
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