Using best-worst scaling to elicit individual choices for investing in cycling infrastructure

The built environment significantly affects people's propensity to cycle, prompting local governments to invest in its improvement. Organisations responsible for regulating the built environment have developed audit tools as benchmarks to assess pathways and identify infrastructure interventions that promote active travel. Using these audit tools as a starting point, this study developed 25 cycling investment-relevant factors that were incorporated into a preference-based elicitation approach known as Best-Worst Scaling (BWS). We present findings from a UK wide sample of 367 adults aged 18 years and older. The data were analysed using both aggregate (counting) and disaggregated (regression) approaches. Each approach pointed to the same five key investment priorities: (1) dedicated pathways, (2) pathway width, (3) conflict with Heavy Goods Vehicles, (4) conflict at junctions, and (5) surface quality. The instrument is adaptable to a wide range of cultural and national contexts, enabling academics and policymakers to compare and refine it internationally. Considering limited budgets by local councils, regional and national governments, this study supports citizen-led identification of funding priorities for cycling infrastructure. • Identify relevant qualitative attributes related to cycling infrastructure • An advanced preference elicitation instrument based on Best-Worst Scaling • Individual-based importance priority of different aspects of cycling infrastructure