Observational insights on relationships between bicycle infrastructure and cyclist demographics, safety gear and bike use in Stavanger.

Abstract

Norway has ambitious plans to reduce private car use, both for the benefits of reduced emissions and to mitigate their space consuming impacts on roadways and in cities. In conjunction with these plans, a high target has been set for increased bicycle mode share across Norway’s major urban regions. In Stavanger this has translated into increased investment in the facilitation of cycling for transport, including the expansion and improvement of bicycle infrastructure. Although, what cyclists perceive as safe and attractive bicycle infrastructure can vary widely, based on factors such as experience level, age and gender. One example is, that a stronger preference towards infrastructure with a greater level of separation between motorized vehicles and cyclists, has been found in both women and older adult cyclists.

Through observations of cyclists at twelve locations and three different infrastructure typologies in Stavanger, this thesis seeks to provide insight on the possible influence of bicycle infrastructure on the proportion of cyclists of different genders and age groups. The proportion of cyclists which use safety gear, sport clothing and e-bikes are also a focus of the analysis. These variables are of relevance, as research has highlighted that cities which have safer and more separated infrastructure, often also have more normalized cycling cultures and cyclists which less often use safety gear and sport clothing. While e-bike users often have different infrastructure preference and choice than that of conventional bike users.

The infrastructure typologies which are compared, have been selected on the basis of the degree that they are separated from motorized vehicles. Although other infrastructural and environmental characteristics are also considered, including traffic volume, traffic speed, measure of centrality and density. The findings do not validate the assumptions made between the infrastructure characteristics of degree of separation and the variables considered. Although strong correlations are found between measures of traffic intensity and centrality at observation points and the proportion of women cyclists using the infrastructure. While other findings may point to a moderating effect of e-bikes on the proportion of women cyclists observed at more highly trafficked locations. Additionally, correlations between safety gear and sport clothing use and centrality are found which could be potentially related to two distinct types of cyclists found in Stavanger.