Qualitative analysis on cycle commuting in two cities with different cycling environments and policies

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThis work presents the results of a qualitative study of the rating of the bicycle as the transport mode to travel to the workplace. Twenty-one semistructured interviews were performed in two Spanish cities, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Madrid, with different cycling infrastructures and percentages of bicycle usage. The results were categorized and interpreted within the framework of the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991). The results indicate that the bicycle is considered a reliable and flexible transport mode in instrumental terms, and that providing objective information about its advantages could increase its attraction for non-cyclists. Other intrinsic benefits, such as its effects on physical fitness, are highly valued. The benefits of bicycle usage on the environment do not seem to be aspects that directly motivate its use. These symbolic beliefs contribute to its revaluation as a transport mode, and may increase the acceptance of public policies favoring it. The analysis also shows a prototypical image of the cyclist as a young, active, and socially aware person. The perception of risk of accidents is the main obstacle for non-cyclists, but not among riders. The latter make internal attributions about their personal safety, choosing routes with less traffic, riding the bicycle in a safer way. Control beliefs distinguish between beliefs associated with external factors (like infrastructure and other measures provided by public bodies to increase cycling) and those attributed to internal factors (perception of self-efficacy in the face of drawbacks, clothing, climatology, or insecurity). Presenting these coping strategies to people contemplating the possibility of cycling can increase their motivation. These results may be particularly useful when designing measurement instruments that take these differences of perception of control into account.

User profiles and adoption attributes of innovative bike-sharing systems: the case of BiciMAD (Madrid)

“…In line with other findings on the basis of qualitative and quantitative analysis in Spain (Lois et al, 2016;Lois et al, 2015), Muñoz et al (2013) have identified two underlying factors among attitudinal variables, namely: direct benefits of cycling (such as reliability, comfort, safety, weather independence and relative speed) and long-term benefits (such as health benefits, quality of life, flexibility and environmental benefits). Three barriers have also been found, i.e.…”

“…An extensive research has explored the role of experience in utilitarian cycling (Rondinella, 2015;Rondinella et al, 2012). A comparison has also been done to highlight different commuting patterns in Madrid and another city with a different cycling environment and policy through semi-structured interviews (Lois et al, 2016).…”

“…Cycling is traditionally considered a means of transport that is most popular among mainly young or middle aged low-status people with no access to a car (Lois et al, 2016),. Nowadays this affirmation is true primarily in low cycling countries (Pucher and Buehler, 2012), while in Northern Europe -the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany (Pucher and Buehler, 2008), i.e.…”

Cycle commuting intention: A model based on theory of planned behaviour and social identity

“…This investigation was preceded by a qualitative study (Lois et al, 2015) consisting of the thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) of 21 semi-structured interviews. In that study we examined the beliefs of cyclists and non-cyclists about commuting trips by bicycle in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the city where data for this research were collected.…”

Safe Bicycle Lane Design Principles: Responding to Cycling Needs in Cities during COVID and Beyond

“…Evidence suggests that cycling has surged in popularity as a resilient and reliable travel option during the pandemic (Bryant 2020; UN News 2020), and as a consequence many cities have slowly been establishing policies, plans, and infrastructure to support biking. Most cities were already full of potential cyclists, people who were interested in taking up cycling but concerned about safety risks Lois et al 2016;Dill and McNeil 2016;Félix et al 2017). Now, people around the world have taken to bikes in order to reduce their risk of exposure to the virus when they need to travel.…”