Exploring Associations between the Built Environment and Cycling Behaviour around Urban Greenways from a Human-Scale Perspective

Abstract

The incorporation of cycling as a mode of transport has been shown to have a positive impact on reducing traffic congestion, improving mental health outcomes, and contributing to the development of sustainable cities. The proliferation of bike-sharing systems, characterised by their wide availability and high usage rates, has made cycling in urban areas more accessible and convenient for individuals. While the existence of a relationship between cycling behaviour and the built environment has been established, few studies have specifically examined this connection for weekdays and weekends. With the emergence of new data sources, new methodologies have become available for research into this area. For instance, bike-sharing spatio-temporal datasets have made it possible to precisely measure cycling behaviour over time, while street-view images and deep learning techniques now enable researchers to quantify the built environment from a human perspective. In this study, we used 139,018 cycling trips and 14,947 street-view images to examine the connection between the built environment consisting of urban greenways and cycling behaviour. The results indicated that the greenness and enclosure of the level of greenway were positively correlated with increased cycling on both weekdays and weekends. However, the openness of the greenway appears to have opposing effects on cycling behaviour depending on the day of the week, with high levels of openness potentially promoting cycling on weekends but hindering it on weekdays. Based on the findings of this study, policymakers and planners should focus on the cycling environment and prioritise improving its comfort and safety to promote green transportation and bicycle-friendly cities.

The impact of street greenery on active travel: a narrative systematic review

“…The findings revealed a positive correlation between street tree density and both walking distance ( 34 ) and walking duration ( 39 ). Notably, eye-level greenness, as indicated by the GVI, exhibited a significant relationship with extended walking durations within various buffer zones, including 400 m ( 13 , 36 ), 500 m ( 41 ), 800 m ( 13 , 15 , 36 , 40 ), and 1,600 m ( 47 ), for both utilitarian and leisure walking ( 45 ), particularly during weekends ( 49 ). Moreover, the cumulative GVI demonstrated a significantly positive correlation with active travel distance ( 31 ).…”

“…Three studies have delved into the impact of street greenness on cycling frequency or greenway utilization frequency ( 16 , 17 , 47 ). Among these investigations, eye-level greenness emerged as a key factor, demonstrating a remarkable effect on cycling behavior.…”

“…Notably, the effect of eye-level greenness on cycling frequency was found to be more pronounced on weekends than on weekdays ( 16 ). Additionally, street-view greenness and the level of greenway enclosure were positively correlated with increased cycling frequency, regardless of whether it was a weekday or a weekend ( 47 ). However, an intriguing finding emerged regarding the openness of the greenway.…”

“…This factor seemed to yield divergent effects on cycling frequency depending on the day of the week. While high levels of greenway openness appeared to promote cycling on weekends, they potentially hindered it on weekdays ( 47 ). In contrast, greenway proximity demonstrated a somewhat unexpected trend.…”

Greenway interventions effectively enhance physical activity levels—A systematic review with meta-analysis

“…However, it is worth noting that certain studies have reported no significant rise in PA among participants residing near greenways (12,34). This phenomenon can be attributed to a range of factors, including external influences such as social trends and psychological variables, as well as internal factors like the accessibility and openness of the greenways (34,42). It is imperative to conduct further research to substantiate the existing findings, which should encompass comprehensive explanations of potential external and internal factors that may have a significant impact on the applicability of these findings to diverse urban areas.…”