Gaining insights into how cyclists choose their routes is one major key to improving infrastructure and promoting cycling. Particularly commuters and e-bike users have been noted to have preferences unconstrained from shortest path logic. To that end, this paper aims to uncover cyclists' preferences and the affecting nature-related attributes of routes for commuters to high school in Nijmegen, Netherlands. Based on a Dutch dataset the study analyzed 1284 e-bike cycling trips, each with four route alternatives, including the chosen one. The primary objective is to identify the most influential parameters affecting e-bike commuters' route choices and understand their contributions. The approach employed both a simple path size Logit (PSL) and a Pairwise Combinatorial Logit (PCL) model, incorporating nature-related and interaction variables. Additionally, the research compared the predictive performance of Logit-based models with deep learning models. The findings shed light on the factors influencing e-bike commuters' route choices and demonstrate the superior predictive capabilities of deep learning techniques, with a validation accuracy of 80.16%. By adopting a sensivitity analysis approach, we uncovered the key factors that influence our deep learning model in predicting cycling routes, giving a precise interpretation of our results. Our findings show that commuter e-bike cyclists prefer shorter routes with fewer traffic lights and favor routes that have more natural settings. However, their primary concern is efficiency in their commutes.

Although behavioural nudging has been often used as a method to promote sustainable choices, its application is quite limited in the field of active mobility. Gamification and rewarding schemes appeared recently in mobility sector to nudge urban cycling. The scheme presented in this paper was based on a TRL9 antifraud system to certify, monitor, and reward urban bike rides in in 3 different cities during 2022. About 1,500 users were engaged in Braga, Istanbul, and Tallinn, saving more than 133 tons of CO2 in 6 months, and spending more than 85,000 euros in local shops. The paper presents the quantitative (KPIs based) and qualitative (users questionnaires based) assessment as well as the additional data analysis results that were carried out during the scheme testing. The correlation between trip, weather and socio-demographic data provided valuable knowledge that can be used to target vulnerable groups and to enhance the cycling incentives for bad weather days. The knowledge extracted can be integrated into the climate neutral strategies of the transition cities/regions for designing and implementing more efficient future actions and investments to successfully promote greener and more active mobility, ensuring high levels of cycling throughout the year.

The study adapted the Perceived Accessibility Scale to assess perceived cycling accessibility in Stockholm, presenting a new case study of its application. Using recent survey data and factor analysis, the scale demonstrated strong reliability in capturing perceptions. Hypothesis testing indicated limited effects of most sociodemographic factors on perceived cycling accessibility, except for gender among frequent cyclists. Mobility-related characteristics and peer influence had stronger effects, while spatial variables were insignificant. A significant positive association was also found between perceived cycling accessibility and cycling frequency. These findings align with expectations and reflect behaviour of Swedish cyclists.

In most developed countries, active travel to and from school has declined over the past few decades. In Sweden, active travel among children and young adults declined by 40 % between 1995 and 2014. To remedy and reverse this trend, it is crucial to understand and establish the necessary preconditions for promoting active school travel, i.e. built environment and infrastructural provisions. Within that context, this paper presents a school bikeability index for Stockholm, focusing primarily on built environment indicators. These indicators were weighted according to their importance as perceived by children’s guardians in Stockholm. The study provides insights into possible correlates of importance of bikeability indicators, suggesting different valuations by guardians depending on their gender and children’s age. The spatial analysis shows a variability of school bikeability across the city. Findings suggest that overall many of the primary schools could significantly enhance their bikeability by implementing measures such as, bicycle parking, traffic calming signage and connecting school entrances directly to cycle paths. Closer investigations of some of the highest- and lowest-scoring schools and selected school pairs inform that even the high-scoring schools are often lacking in implementation of some children-friendly cycling infrastructure, and that low-scoring schools could benefit from implementing some, relatively low-cost improvements. An equity analysis shows no significant differences between school bikeability scores and average income. Open access data were utilised, allowing the methodology to be replicable in other cities. For future iterations of the index, it would be beneficial to refine and validate the index weights while incorporating additional indicators. This process should account for their complexity and the varying valuations assigned by different groups, including children themselves.

Efficient transport infrastructures are crucial to improve traffic safety and reduce negative effects of human activities, where effective transport policies play a vital role. It is also important to evaluate the effects of the policies to document and update them with time. The purpose of this study is to examine road traffic crashes with fatalities and severe injuries at the county level in Sweden, considering both planned innovative policies and the unexpected influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on road traffic crashes with fatalities and severe injuries from 2010 to 2021 in twenty-one counties in Sweden were collected, as well as road network data, vehicle registration data, land use data and socio-demographic data. Negative binomial autoregressive models with region fixed effect were proposed to estimate the effects of explanatory variables on crash frequency, along with Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) models. The findings demonstrate that the speed limit changes and the introduction of safety cameras in Sweden is effective in reducing fatalities and severe injuries. Importantly, different regions exhibit distinct responses to these interventions, with varying effects on different types of crashes. Additionally, findings show that other factors, such as land use characteristics, presence of trucks, and population density also influence the crash frequencies. Moreover, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic was investigated, which shows a reduction in traffic crashes during the pandemic period. Important policy implications based on the findings are discussed to enhance transport safety and resilience. By considering regional variations, this study provides insights into the spatial dynamics of road safety patterns, and supports the Vision Zero policy in Sweden.

This paper examines two bikeshare programs implemented in two Global South cities, examining the role of users in promoting sustainable transport. To explore the sustainability of smart cycling, we argue that it is important to understand the prevailing administrative and socio-institutional practices within a given context. For the effective stabilisation of smart regimes, harmony between the administrative and socio-institutional practices must be established. In this context, we introduce a complementary approach to understanding transitions. Maintenance of political commitments and institutional support are crucial for cycling success, not incidental footloose initiatives. We explore two case studies in the context of the Global South, in the first one top-down policies and planning initiatives dictate the directions of transitions by enabling or constraining user routines. In the second one, citizens take control to resolve a transport deficit by initiating and driving a very bottom-up user-led transition narrative. We propose a framework to cater to the unique political, cultural and smart discourses of the Global South and the role of users in conjunction with the administrative and socio-institutional practices around them. Investigating both the bikeshare cases through the lens of this framework provides unique insights extending our knowledge beyond the built environment features of sustainable planning initiatives. Our findings reveal the complex narratives that are in play in developing nations and conclude that understanding and realising cycling transitions in southern megacities require a different approach compared to the Global North.

The COVID-19 pandemic influenced urban mobility worldwide, prompting travel restrictions, physical distancing, and lockdowns. Active transport modes, particularly cycling, emerged as socially distanced and adaptable alternatives. In response, many cities rapidly implemented cycling-friendly measures, such as repurposing streets, e-bike subsidies, and traffic-calming initiatives. Investigating these trends statistically, this study centers on three hypotheses: (1) pandemic conditions spurred a notable rise in cycling relative to pre-pandemic levels; (2) new biking infrastructure and lockdown policy interventions were drivers of this rise; and (3) an important motivation for biking under the pandemic was essential errands, like shopping for groceries. Drawing on publicly available weekly bicycle counts from Paris and Barcelona, we employed time series regression models to address our hypotheses. Results confirmed a substantial surge in cycling in both cities. Lockdown policy stringency was associated with increased cycling in both cities. Paris seemed to show a stronger sensitivity to infrastructure interventions. The findings underscore that this devastating health crisis also served as a catalyst for a shift toward more sustainable travel.