Abstract

VALE, David Sousa. The city and the bicycle: an analitycal reading. Finisterra [online]. 2016, n.103, pp.45-66. ISSN 0430-5027.  https://doi.org/10.18055/Finis7077.

The bicycle is probably the most effective and rational transportation mode for urban travel, besides walking. However, cycling only represents a small percentage of the modal division of urban travel. In this article, based on an analysis of national and European data, we present an analytical reading of the factors that contribute to the promotion of urban cycling. Five factors are identified: urban characteristics, the natural environment, socio-economic factors, psychological factors, and the generalized cost of cycling. Increasing knowledge of these factors is essential to the effective promotion of urban cycling, for which urban and regional planning plays a fundamental role, equal to or even more important than the role of transportation planning. Although travel distance is probably the biggest determinant of urban cycling, the articulation of cycling with a good public transport network will allow an increase in both travel modes, as these modes of transport are complementary

Keywords : Bicycle; cycling; built environment; urbanism; sustainable urban mobility.

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