The prioritisation of bicycle-friendly infrastructure is now on the agenda of many policymakers seeking to capitalise on the advantages of cycling for transport. This thesis focusses upon how the improved availability, quality, and connectivity of infrastructure suitable for cycling can influence cycling behavior at the city and neighbourhood level.
Two key elements are necessary to understand the local-scale impact of bicycle infrastructure: the decision to bicycle in preference of other transport modes and the choice of route on the transport network. This thesis first addresses bicycle mode and route choice independently of each other before analysing the interaction between these elements in the context of bicycle infrastructure interventions.
This article-based thesis is comprised of five research papers: four empirical studies and one literature review. Three of the empirical cases are based in the Norwegian city of Trondheim and the fourth is based in Oslo. Paper I addresses the modal shift of employees following a workplace relocation. Papers II and III are focused on bicycle route choice – firstly as a review of methods and then in connection with student route preferences. The two final papers, Papers IV and V, integrate both mode and route choice elements for the detailed analysis of neighbourhood scale effects resulting from the installation of bicycle lanes in Trondheim and Oslo respectively.
The research uses a mixed methods approach, with a focus on empirical data to address the objectives of the thesis. Before and after travel surveys, webbased maps and GPS are the main means of data collection. Comparative analyses are performed using a Geographic Information System (GIS).