Cycle commuting in Belgium: Spatial determinants and ‘re-cycling’ strategies

Abstract

This paper attempts to explain the spatial variation of the use of a bicycle for commuting to work at the level of the 589 municipalities in Belgium. Regression techniques were used and special attention was paid to autocorrelation, heterogeneity and multicollinearity. Spatial lag models were used to correct for the presence of spatial dependence and a disaggregated modelling strategy was adopted for the northern and southern parts of the country. The results show that much of the inter-municipality variation in bicycle use is related to environmental aspects such as the relief, traffic volumes and cycling accidents. Town size, distance travelled and demographic aspects also have some effect. In addition, there are regional differences in the effects of the structural covariates on bicycle use: the impact of variables such as traffic volume and cycling accidents differs substantially between the north and the south of the country. This paper also suggests that high rates of bicycle use in one municipality stimulate cycling in neighbouring municipalities, and hence that a mass effect can be initiated, i.e. more cycle commuting encourages even more commuters in the area to cycle. These findings provide some recommendations for decision-makers wishing to promote a shift from car to bicycle use.

Utilitarian Cycling in Belgium: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of Regular Cyclists

“…The aim of the SHAPES project is to analyze the benefits and risks (voluntary and involuntary) of cycling and to advise policy makers to facilitate the implementation of intersectoral policies related to cycling for transport. Within the SHAPES project exposure to traffic exhaust and accidents during cycling were considered as risks (see 12,17,[22][23][24]. For this part of the SHAPES project, bicycle usage data (exposure) were collected prospectively during 1 year, and were then correlated cross-sectionally with environmental and self-reported individual factors.…”

“…Data from the Belgian 'National household survey' 16 , showed a clear-cut north-south division in bicycle usage, infrastructure, the presence of probicycle policies, flat vs. hilly terrain, and attitude toward cycling (for details, see Vandenbulcke et al 17,22 ).…”

“…18 Previous studies have shown the importance of individual and environmental correlates to explain bicycle usage. [18][19][20][21][22] Firstly, this study aims to report on utilitarian bicycle usage in Belgium, using a prospective data collection in regular adult com- …”

Development of Bicycle Shift Models in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Campus

“…Monthly income, gender and age also affect the probability rate of bicycle modal shift in Flanders (Vandenbulcke et al 2011). Lower monthly income, lower rate of women vacancies and younger age (below 45) are some factors that will grant higher bicycle modal shift probability.…”

La percepción de seguridad en la demanda de transporte de la integración bicicletametro en Bogotá, Colombia

“…Sin embargo, relativamente pocos estudios han investigado los problemas de integración de modos de transporte desde la perspectiva de la percepción de los usuarios. Al respecto, la literatura, en general, reconoce cuatro factores actitudinales y de percepción que tienen un impacto potencial sobre la demanda por la bicicleta: actitud pro bicicleta, percepción del contexto, percepción de la seguridad y conveniencia (Vandenbulcke et al, 2011).…”