An Exploration into the Nature and Formation of Bicycling Preference and Comfort

As a means of transportation and as a form of physical activity, bicycling generates benefits to the bicyclist as well as to the community as a whole. Bicycling now accounts for less than 1 percent of all trips for all purposes in the U.S., but evidence from other western countries suggests that under the right conditions, bicycling levels can be significantly higher. The experience of Davis, California suggests that it is possible to create conditions conducive to higher levels of bicycling in the U.S. However, analysis of data collected using an on-line survey in Davis and five comparison cities in early fall 2006 shows that cognitive factors, particularly preference for bicycling and comfort level with bicycling, play a critical role in explaining bicycling behavior. This project explores the formation of these cognitive factors using both quantitative and qualitative methods. First, models of bicycling preference and bicycling comfort will be developed using the 2006 survey data. Second, in-depth interviews will be conducted to explore the factors and processes involved in the formation of these cognitive factors. The project will produce insights useful in designing interventions to increase bicycling.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $57804.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT06-G-0022

  R04-3

• Sponsor Organizations:

  California Department of Transportation

  1227 O Street
  Sacramento, CA  United States  95843
• Performing Organizations:

  Sustainable Transportation Center/ITS-Davis

  ITS-Davis
  University of California, Davis
  Davis, CA  United States  95616
• Principal Investigators:

  Handy, Susan

• Start Date: 20091001
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20110930
• Source Data: RiP Project 28173

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycle travel; Comfort; Cyclists; Data collection; Internet; Nonmotorized transportation; Surveys; Travel behavior; Travel surveys
• Geographic Terms: Davis (California)
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01468031
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: University of California Transportation Center/Institute of Transportation Studies
• Contract Numbers: DTRT06-G-0022, R04-3
• Files: UTC, RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 3 2013 3:44PM