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More Cycling, Less Driving? Findings of a Cycle Street Intervention Study in the Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region, Germany

Author

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  • Andreas Blitz

    (Department of Human Geography, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 6, 60629 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Annika Busch-Geertsema

    (Department of Human Geography, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 6, 60629 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Martin Lanzendorf

    (Department of Human Geography, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 6, 60629 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

Abstract

In order to encourage a shift from the car to the more sustainable transport mode of cycling, cycle streets have been implemented in cities all over the world in the last few years. In these shared streets, the entire carriageway is designated for cyclists, while motorized traffic is subordinated. However, evidence on the impact of cycle street interventions related to travel behavior change has been limited until now. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether cycle streets are an effective measure to facilitate bicycle use and discourage car use, thus contributing to the aim of promoting sustainable travel. For this purpose, we conducted a written household survey in the German city of Offenbach am Main involving participants affected by a cycle street intervention (n = 701). Based on two stage models of self-regulated behavioral change (SSBC), we identified the participants’ level of willingness to use a bicycle frequently and to reduce car use. By means of bivariate and multivariate statistical methods, we analyzed the influence of awareness, use, and perceptions of the cycle street on the willingness to change behavior towards more sustainable travel. The results show that the intervention has a positive impact on frequent bicycle use, while we observed only a limited effect on car use reduction. Traffic conflicts and car speeding within the cycle street adversely affect the acceptance of the intervention. The study’s findings provide new insights into the actual effects of a cycle street and its potential to encourage sustainable travel behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Blitz & Annika Busch-Geertsema & Martin Lanzendorf, 2020. "More Cycling, Less Driving? Findings of a Cycle Street Intervention Study in the Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region, Germany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-25, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:805-:d:311802
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    Cited by:

    1. Mário Meireles & Paulo J. G. Ribeiro, 2020. "Digital Platform/Mobile App to Boost Cycling for the Promotion of Sustainable Mobility in Mid-Sized Starter Cycling Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-27, March.
    2. Dimitra Chondrogianni & Yorgos J. Stephanedes & Panoraia Fatourou, 2023. "Assessing Cycling Accessibility in Urban Areas through the Implementation of a New Cycling Scheme," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-17, October.
    3. Kirschner, Franziska & Lanzendorf, Martin, 2020. "Support for innovative on-street parking policies: empirical evidence from an urban neighborhood," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    4. Hudde, Ansgar, 2022. "The unequal cycling boom in Germany," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    5. Pedro Plasencia-Lozano, 2021. "Evaluation of a New Urban Cycling Infrastructure in Caceres (Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-19, February.
    6. Michael Hardinghaus & Panagiotis Papantoniou, 2020. "Evaluating Cyclists’ Route Preferences with Respect to Infrastructure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-18, April.

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