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Mapping Bikeability: A Spatial Tool to Support Sustainable Travel

Author

Listed:
  • Meghan Winters

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Michael Brauer

    (School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada)

  • Eleanor M Setton

    (Geography Department, University of Victoria, PO Box 3050, STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 3R4, Canada)

  • Kay Teschke

    (School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada)

Abstract

The built environment has been shown to influence active transportation. Although spatial data for the built environment is increasingly available, there has been little effort to use existing data and knowledge to define and map ‘bikeability’ as an approach to promoting travel by bicycle. Our goal was to build a tool to identify areas that are more conducive and less conducive to cycling. We used empirical research to develop a bikeability index and geographic information systems to map the index across the Metro Vancouver region. Results of an opinion survey, travel behaviour studies, and focus groups were used to identify the components of the index and their relative importance. Pertinent geospatial data layers were scored and combined using a flexible weighting scheme to create a composite map highlighting both high and low bikeability areas. The bikeability index was comprised of five factors shown to consistently influence cycling: Bicycle facility availability; bicycle facility quality; street connectivity; topography; and land use. For mapping purposes, we created corresponding metrics: density of bicycle facilities; separation from motor vehicle traffic; connectivity of bicycle-friendly roads (local streets, bicycle routes, and off-street paths); slope; and density of destination locations. Using empirical evidence to combine data layers for these metrics we generated a high-resolution (10 m) bikeability surface for the region, depicting bicycle-friendly areas and areas where cycling conditions need to be improved. Built environment interventions for specific locations are informed by evaluating scores for the five individual component layers. Mapping bikeability provides a powerful visual aid to identify zones where changes are needed to support sustainable travel. This evidence-based tool presents data in a user-friendly way for planners and policy makers. The overall bikeability score and its five component scores can guide local action to stimulate changes in cycling rates. It uses widely available data types, thus facilitating easy application in other cities. Furthermore, the flexible parameters and weighting scheme enable users elsewhere to tailor it to evidence about local preferences and conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Meghan Winters & Michael Brauer & Eleanor M Setton & Kay Teschke, 2013. "Mapping Bikeability: A Spatial Tool to Support Sustainable Travel," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 40(5), pages 865-883, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirb:v:40:y:2013:i:5:p:865-883
    DOI: 10.1068/b38185
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jestico, Ben & Nelson, Trisalyn & Winters, Meghan, 2016. "Mapping ridership using crowdsourced cycling data," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 90-97.
    2. Francisco Sergio Campos-Sánchez & Luis Miguel Valenzuela-Montes & Francisco Javier Abarca-Álvarez, 2019. "Evidence of Green Areas, Cycle Infrastructure and Attractive Destinations Working Together in Development on Urban Cycling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Faghih Imani, Ahmadreza & Miller, Eric J. & Saxe, Shoshanna, 2019. "Cycle accessibility and level of traffic stress: A case study of Toronto," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    4. Zuo, Ting & Wei, Heng, 2019. "Bikeway prioritization to increase bicycle network connectivity and bicycle-transit connection: A multi-criteria decision analysis approach," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 52-71.
    5. Bongiorno, Christian & Santucci, Daniele & Kon, Fabio & Santi, Paolo & Ratti, Carlo, 2019. "Comparing bicycling and pedestrian mobility: Patterns of non-motorized human mobility in Greater Boston," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    6. Paraskevi Karanikola & Thomas Panagopoulos & Stilianos Tampakis & Georgios Tsantopoulos, 2018. "Cycling as a Smart and Green Mode of Transport in Small Touristic Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, January.
    7. Nielsen, Thomas Alexander Sick & Skov-Petersen, Hans, 2018. "Bikeability – Urban structures supporting cycling. Effects of local, urban and regional scale urban form factors on cycling from home and workplace locations in Denmark," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 36-44.
    8. Hamidi, Zahra & Camporeale, Rosalia & Caggiani, Leonardo, 2019. "Inequalities in access to bike-and-ride opportunities: Findings for the city of Malmö," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 673-688.
    9. Lin, Jen-Jia & Wei, Yi-Hsuan, 2018. "Assessing area-wide bikeability: A grey analytic network process," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 381-396.
    10. Yang, Xu-Hua & Cheng, Zhi & Chen, Guang & Wang, Lei & Ruan, Zhong-Yuan & Zheng, Yu-Jun, 2018. "The impact of a public bicycle-sharing system on urban public transport networks," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 246-256.
    11. Cooper, Crispin H.V., 2017. "Using spatial network analysis to model pedal cycle flows, risk and mode choice," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 157-165.
    12. Conrow, Lindsey & Murray, Alan T. & Fischer, Heather A., 2018. "An optimization approach for equitable bicycle share station siting," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 163-170.
    13. Zhao, Pengjun & Li, Shengxiao, 2017. "Bicycle-metro integration in a growing city: The determinants of cycling as a transfer mode in metro station areas in Beijing," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 46-60.

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