Do tourists value different levels of cycling infrastructure?

Abstract

This paper seeks to examine how tourists value different types of cycling infrastructure using the results from intercept stated preference survey that was carried out amongst tourists in Dublin. The attributes used in the stated preference scenarios were: time, facility type, weather, and route gradient. A nested logit model was created to analyse the data. It was found that a tourist is willing to increase their cycling time by approximately 100% in order to cycle upon a fully segregated from traffic cycling facility rather than along a road without cycling infrastructure, and are willing to increase their time by 40-50% to be able to cycle along a road with a cycle lane rather than a road without cycling facilities. Younger, male tourists, who own one or more bikes are more likely to choose a road without cycling facilities, while older, female tourists, who do not own any bikes, are more likely to choose a road with cycle lanes or a segregated from traffic cycling facility. Presently, research into cycling and tourism has not been overly developed. In recent years, there has been an increased focus on research into this area. The research that presently exists is aligned more towards large scale events such as the Tour de France, and adventure tourism in general. This paper casts a light onto the area of cycling for tourist purposes and develops a value based system that can be used in the planning of cycling infrastructure in tourist locations and rural areas.

Ecomuseums (on Clean Energy), Cycle Tourism and Civic Crowdfunding: A New Match for Sustainability?

“…Starting from what has already been demonstrated in terms of the links between cycle tourism and sustainability [7], the interaction between RES and tourism [11] and finally the placed-based dimension of a civic crowdfunding campaign [10], this research has shown that a proposed ecomuseum on clean energy has the potential to attract the highest level of cycle tourists, to increase the crowd of potential funders, thereby attracting the interest of the municipalities concerned, not-for profit associations and energy and tourism firms, and thus significantly increase the beneficial effects on sustainability from the economic, social and environmental points of view. The new knowledge, experience and skills created by such a project represents new and important benefits acquired by all stakeholders, which together create a complex local network with positive effects on society.…”

“…As Deenihan and Caulfield [7] stated, cycle tourists value different levels of cycling infrastructure. For example, a study of cycle tourists in Dublin revealed that a cycling facility that is fully segregated from other traffic can increase the time dedicated to cycle tourism by 100%, while providing a cycle lane beside a road can increase cycling time by 40-50%.…”

“…Moreover, this study demonstrated that tourists were willing to pay 48% more for cycling in cycle lanes rather than on a road without a dedicated bicycle lane, while this rose to 98% for cycling facilities that were fully segregated from traffic. These authors, estimating a value of time of 27.81 euro an hour, demonstrated that 'a cyclist is willing to pay 0.22 euro per minute for a road with a cycle lane and 0.45 euro per min for a fully segregated from traffic cycling facility' [7] (p. 100).…”

“…From the point of view of sustainability, it is important to develop cycle tourism because it encourages local trade and creates business opportunities [7]. It is also an environmentally sustainable form of tourism, thanks to the preservation of territory through the use of existing or under-used facilities, and in some cases even disused ones, such as closed railways, abandoned rural routes and neglected canal towpaths.…”

“…In this research study we have considered the Italian Federation of Friends of the Bicycle (FIAB; Federazione Italiana Amici della Bicicletta onlus), Sustrans in the United Kingdom (UK) and certain specific European Union commissions that work for the protection and promotion of cycle mobility. These reports highlight that it is necessary to: -invest in safe, convenient and attractive cycle routes that cater for both long and short distance cycling; -create safer and easier access points into and out of cities and towns; -in general, develop a system of cycle routes away from vehicular traffic [7].…”