Is Cycling an Attractive Transport Solution in a Mediterranean City?

Abstract

By exploiting the opinion of the society in a Mediterranean city, this paper identifies the mechanisms behind utility cycling and determines the aspects of using the bike in cities for daily commuting. This study focused on the assessment of biking as an alternative mode of transport within a typical Mediterranean city in Crete. Limited road safety is the principal reason that hinders 60% of respondents from cycling, and 41% from riding more frequently. The survey results are congruent with this statement, provided a significant difference in the ratios of actual recreational cyclists (39%) and those who like to ride for entertainment, but they hesitate (71%). In order to quantify this, the attitude of the bikers was grouped in two fact factors influencing: the clothing and the technological one. Based on the opinion of the local society, high priority policies are recommended, such as proper infrastructure, sensitization campaigns, and education programs.

Evaluation of Urban Sustainability Based on Transportation and Green Spaces: The Case of Limassol, Cyprus

“…Redesigning urban spaces to favor active mobility remains a fool-proof way to make mobility more sustainable in Limassol. Corroborating recent research on active mobility in Mediterranean insular cities [80], this study found that the lack of infrastructure and traffic safety were among the main causes hindering a more frequent use of walking and cycling. Regarding infrastructure, the extension of pedestrian-only and bicycle lanes is residual, the infrastructure is disconnected and sparse.…”