Measuring perceived transfer inconvenience for multimodal commute trips combining bicycles and public transport

• The factors that cause transfer inconvenience were identified. • A Structural Equation Model is developed based on attitude and behaviour data. • Transfer inconvenience is mostly influenced by physical infrastructure. • Transfer inconvenience has a substantial influence on behaviour. • Transfer inconvenience perception can be a tool to evaluate integration. Public transport and bicycles are two essential components of a sustainable urban transport system, with their integration increasing their potential to reduce car use in urban areas. However, their combined use has one essential weakness, which is the transfer between two travel modes. This additional step creates a feeling of inconvenience to potential travellers. Understanding the factors that cause inconvenience allows to implement policies and measures that ensure an efficient integration and consequently an effective transition to more sustainable travel options. However, the factors that cause inconvenience are currently understudied. This study fills this knowledge gap by identifying these factors and measuring their effect on transfer inconvenience. It also explores the influence of perceived transfer inconvenience on the choice to use a bike as an access or egress mode to a public transport stop. Using data (n = 1007) from an online survey questionnaire from the region of Nord-Jæren in Norway, a Structural Equation Model (SEM) has been developed. The results of the analysis show that the perception of transfer inconvenience plays a substantial role in the choice to combine bicycles and public transport since it can predict up to 10 % of the variance in the choice to use bicycles. The results also suggest that practical elements, like physical infrastructure, play a vital role in shaping transfer inconvenience.