Influences on bicycling propensity

Choice in transport is a complex issue and related to a wide range of factors including socio-economic variables and the nature of transport infrastructure and the physical geography of an area. As well as the rational and measurable factors, there are other complex and subtle factors including the influences of culture and social norms. Changes to behaviour probably take an extended period of time and require a range of conditions to be appropriate. This book by John Parkin explores the variables which influence the propensity to cycle. Measures that have been found to be significant in relation to cycling are car ownership, socio-economic classification, ethnicity, distance to work, condition of the highway pavement, highway network density and population density, hilliness, rainfall and mean temperature. In addition the length of bicycle lane, length of bus lane and length of traffic free route have also been found to be important in so far as they influence the perception of risk, which in turn influences the level of bicycle use. The length of route that is signed has also been found to be important.