Cycling to Work in Phoenix: Route Choice, Travel Behavior, and Commuter Characteristics

Abstract

Through a survey of expert cyclists, the relationship between the actual routes cyclists traveled and existing street conditions was documented, and bicycle commuters of the Phoenix metropolitan area were profiled. Data were collected on individual commuting routes between home and work. Additional data collected include age and gender characteristics. Frequency analysis in a geographic information system compared the number of common street segments among actual and alternative routes to determine cyclists’ use of existing street facilities. Findings are reported for actual routes compared with shortest distance, shortest time, and safest route alternatives on street facilities between the same origin and destination. Spatial analysis identified local gaps in arterial street bicycle facilities at municipal boundaries. These findings include evidence that cyclists adjust their routes to use current street bicycle facilities, and suggest that policy makers should concentrate on linking bicycle facilities across jurisdictions.

Assessing the Bicycle Network in St. Louis: A PlaceBased User-Centered Approach

“…While many studies have found a positive correlation between levels of bicycle infrastructure and bicycle commuting [15][16][17] others have found little correlation [18][19][20][21]. What is certain is that many cyclists prefer routes with bicycle facilities [22][23][24][25][26][27][28] and bicycle infrastructure encourages non-cyclists to try cycling [14]. However, it is uncertain whether investments in bicycle infrastructure increase bicycle-use.…”

“…Results produced stress measurements for entire routes [24]. While these are useful for larger-scale bicycle network characterizations, they are less meaningful to decision makers deciding how to invest limited funds in bicycle infrastructure.…”

“…Many studies have found that one of the greatest impediments to cycling is the perceived danger from motor traffic [39][40][41]. Based on this concept and earlier studies [24,42], Mekuria et al [38] developed the Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) assessment method. The LTS method assesses network segments based on the amount of stress put on cyclists as a result of the environmental characteristics present.…”

“…These spatially-explicit studies often ask participants to draw out recent or commonly-used bike routes within a study area on a paper map or website [24,26,28,51]. Researchers then use these documented routes and statistical analyses to make inferences about cyclists' preferences for network characteristics.…”

“…Similarly, Howard and Burns [24] asked participants to rate their routes from 1-5 based on the level of stress they felt while cycling on traveled routes. Results produced stress measurements for entire routes [24].…”