CYCLING TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY: MOTIVATIONS FOR BICYCLE USE IN URBAN SETTINGS

This paper examines the motivations behind the choice of cycling as a mode of transportation in urban settings, with an emphasis on its contribution to sustainable urban mobility. Addressing the critical need for sustainable transportation alternatives, this research investigates the multifaceted reasons that encourage individuals to adopt cycling, encompassing personal health, environmental sustainability, economic benefits, and the influence of urban infrastructure. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach that combines an extensive review of current literature with primary data from semi-structured interviews with 200 urban cyclists, the study unveils a complex set of motivators for cycling. Key findings indicate that health benefits and environmental awareness are significant drivers, yet the availability and quality of urban cycling infrastructure emerge as pivotal in enabling the decision to cycle. The main contribution of this research lies in the detailed analysis of the relationship between personal motivators and infrastructural elements. It demonstrates that comprehensive urban planning and policy support are essential in promoting bicycle use. This study provides valuable insights to urban planners and policymakers on how dedicated cycling paths, safety measures, and public awareness campaigns can effectively encourage a shift towards bicycle use in alignment with broader public health and environmental objectives. The research underscores the essential role of comprehensive urban planning and policy support in promoting cycling, highlighting how dedicated cycling paths, safety measures, and public awareness campaigns can effectively encourage a shift towards bicycle use. By elucidating the diverse motivations for cycling within an urban cohort of 200 respondents, this study offers valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers aiming to foster sustainable mobility solutions that align with broader environmental and public health objectives.