Cycling Network Planning Through Urban Form Analysis: A Contextual GIS Model

Promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of urban mobility requires a deep understanding of how urban form influences cyclists’ route choices. This study investigates the influence of urban form on cyclists’ route selection in an attempt to enhance context-sensitive cycling network planning. Five factors of urban form density, transportation infrastructure, housing/building type, land use, and street layout are examined to determine if any of them have a contributing factor to route selection. Based on an extensive review of the literature, the research develops an Urban Form–Cyclist Route Priority Matrix (UF-CRP Matrix) that categorizes urban conditions into three levels of desirability of cyclist routes: Priority A (highest), Priority B (moderate), and Priority C (lowest). The matrix is operationalized through a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based analysis, and its applicability is tested in the historic center of Cairo, Egypt - a spatially complex and culturally diversified urban setting. The resulting priority map identifies the most contextually suitable corridors for cycling infrastructure development through a structured, form-based assessment. Findings reveal that particular urban form configurations exert significant influence on cycling comfort, accessibility, and overall route attractiveness, underscoring the importance of localized planning approaches. The proposed model provides a practical decision-support tool for policymakers and planners to strategically phase cycling infrastructure investments, optimize resource allocation, and integrate active mobility in heritage-sensitive environments. More broadly, this study contributes to the methodological progress of sustainable urban mobility planning by linking cyclist behavior with built environment characteristics through a data-driven and context-responsive analytical approach.