Abstract
Sustainable mobility is an important focus for many cities around the world as they look to reduce congestion and pollution. One area that is often overlooked in sustainable mobility planning is cycling. Cycling is a sustainable, low-cost form of transportation that has many benefits for both individuals and society as a whole. Cycling reduces congestion and pollution and can also help to improve public health. Unfortunately, cycling infrastructure is often poor in many cities, making it difficult for people to cycle safely and comfortably. There is a need for more dedicated cycling infrastructure, such as separated bike lanes, in order to make cycling a viable option for more people. Cycling needs to be as convenient and secure as feasible in order to reach its full potential. One of the main deterrents to cycling is a concern for one’s bodily integrity when driving on the road with heavy motorized traffic (Nikolaeva et al., 2019b). In order to address this issue, it is important to invest in secure cycling infrastructure while also controlling car use and pace.
Introduction
Every society needs a reliable transportation system. Products and services can be transported from one region to another through the transport business. Transport can also be used to move people and raw commodities from one station to another. Consequently, it is wise for any nation to create a suitable transportation infrastructure (Scheurenbrand et al., 2018). Many people have long pondered what the future of mobility would look like in light of the rapidly evolving technologies (Basu & Ferreira, 2021). Automobile engineers, researchers, and other academics focus on improving the already-existing mobility options while developing innovative ideas to design the ideal transport system. Due to traffic bottlenecks, urban transportation has, over the years, greatly hampered other activities in metropolitan centers (Keyvanfar et al., 2018). Future mobility has been thought about using a variety of methods. All of the models aim to provide a remedy for future migration. Both scientific and astrological techniques have been used in the effort to eradicate the problem. The context and perspective of the future, nevertheless, define the means used.
It cannot be emphasized enough that proper cycling policy should always confront the demand for car usage, for instance, through parking restrictions or by attempting to avoid through traffic in inner city areas or residential neighborhoods (F.k.a Andersson et al., 2021; Holden et al., 2020). This recommendation comes from the European experience of boosting cycling for the past four decades. Hence, it is crucial to properly integrate bicycle policies into a larger SUMP framework that strives to enhance a town’s or city’s mobility infrastructure as a whole (Holden et al., 2019; Leibowicz, 2018). It goes without saying that officials should encourage correct usage of safe riding infrastructure via awareness-raising efforts (Rosas-Satizábal & Rodriguez-Valencia, 2019). The school curriculum should include instruction and training for children, and businesses should support a healthy workforce by encouraging employees to commute by bike.
Cycling is not only good for your health, but it can also help you to reduce your carbon footprint. Sustainable mobility is often associated with cycling because it does not require the use of fossil fuels or create carbon emissions. However, cycling can also be used for other purposes, such as walking or running (Dehghanmongabadi & Hoşkara, 2018). For one thing, it helps save money: you can get around without having to pay for gas or car maintenance costs, which saves you money in the long run. Plus, there are more options than ever before: people can use their bikes as public transportation! That’s right—your bike can act as an actual mode of public transportation in some areas (Foltýnová et al., 2020; Karanikola et al., 2018). Another thing that makes bikes great options is their ability to encourage healthy lifestyles. People who bike regularly tend not to get fat, smoke cigarettes, or drink too much alcohol—and those are habits that can really damage your health over time! Plus, biking helps keep you fit by keeping your heart rate up during workouts (which in turn keeps your arteries clear).
This paper will discuss the benefits of cycling and the challenges of implementing cycling infrastructure. It will also identify research questions that can help further our understanding of how to promote sustainable mobility.
Research Sources
I have done some research about sustainable mobility as an architectural student, including A blog post from Rosas-Satizábal & Rodriguez-Valencia (2019) and Masoumi (2019), which discusses how to design for cyclists by using their needs in mind when designing the space around them. The perception of risk associated with cycling on roads with motor vehicle traffic is one of the key obstacles to increased cycling. As a result, one of the most crucial strategies for promoting cycling has been to build off-road bike paths, mixed-use pathways (shared with walkers), and safe on-road cycling infrastructure that are isolated from automobiles by concrete barriers or perimeters. The research suggests that these initiatives have been successful in raising cycling safety standards generally. There is an urgent need to establish physically segregated, guarded cycling infrastructure on major highways with high volumes of quickly moving automobile traffic, according to mounting empirical proof from cities around the world.
An article “Sustainable urban mobility” talks about how architects can design for cyclists through the use of space, light and shade, and noise reduction. It also gives examples of projects that have been designed with these principles in mind. The article reviews possible actions and policies for sustainable mobility, with a focus on cycling. It discusses the benefits of cycling, including health benefits, environmental benefits, and economic benefits. The article also discusses some of the challenges to cycling, such as infrastructure and safety. According to the authors, walking and cycling are becoming more and more valued as modes of transportation in cities after years of being undervalued. However, improving the circumstances for city cycling and walking presents difficulties for planners and decision-makers. Modern bike-sharing programs offer improved accessibility, electronic bikes (e-bikes) increase the range of motion, and an increasing number of bicycle variations, such as cargo bikes, are available to fulfill riders’ needs. As a result, bicycle use, in particular, is growing quickly (“Sustainable Urban Mobility”). Additionally, pedestrians benefit from greater amenities and practical tools like smartphone apps and maps. The authors highlight in their article several benefits of enhancing the conditions for walking and cycling in our cities. These include:
- Active travel increases the effectiveness of traffic flow when compared to car infrastructure, including streets and parking.
- Furthermore, it takes up far less room, which is a crucial factor in all metropolitan settings where there is a shortage of space and a need for high levels of mobility.
- Active travel involves physical activity, which is a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle.
- The “active travel idea,” which highlights this feature, is one illustration of this in the UK.
- The carbon footprint of the transportation networks is decreased, as are other contaminants that harm the environment and people. As a result, more livable and social city areas are developed.
- A city’s visitors and residents will benefit from open public space that is part of an infrastructure that is built for walking and bicycling.
Another article from Foltýnová et al., 2020, discusses how architects can design spaces specifically for cyclists in order to make riding easier or safer than walking or driving your car. The author also includes links to other articles on this topic as well as resources on how to apply these principles in real-life projects such as buildings, roads/sidewalks, etc. The article discusses the importance of sustainable urban mobility in improving the quality of life for city residents and reducing environmental pollution. The problem is that there is no single definition of sustainable urban mobility, and different stakeholders have different opinions on what it means. The solution they are proposing is to develop a common definition of sustainable urban mobility that can be agreed upon by all stakeholders. Foltýnová et al. (2020) point out that walking is the most effective, adaptable, clean, and healthy mode of transportation, and it almost always constitutes one or more segments of a journey. This is similar to cycling. A connected, extensive network of footpaths and pavements for pedestrians exists in the majority of European towns. Pavement widths, ways to cross roadways, the condition of sidewalk pavements, and access for the disabled all differ (Levy et al., 2019; Van Cauwenberg et al., 2018). The network structure and incisiveness of links within a city’s pedestrian paths, or “walkability fabric,” are also significant (Behrendt, 2018). Today, more and more public space is set aside for pedestrians only, with parking lots, streets, and squares being renovated into pleasant strolling areas. Splitting bikes and pedestrians may become a problem in the future. In cities or on streets where cars predominate, the two groups are frequently treated equally.
Another interesting research in sustainable mobility has been done by Mozos-Blanco et al. (2018). Their research focused on how bikes can be used to help solve some of the problems faced by cities: pollution, traffic congestion, and carbon emissions. They found that people who rode bikes were more likely to be employed than those who did not, which meant that they could contribute more to their community and reduce pollution. They also found that people who rode bikes had higher levels of physical activity than those who did not ride bikes. The researchers concluded that these findings showed that cyclists could be an important part of any sustainable mobility plan.
According to Huang et al. (2022), the economic component is also crucial. Besides maintaining a cleaner, more appealing city and healthy residents, cities gain economically from building pedestrian spaces. Bicyclists and pedestrians use the goods and services offered by neighborhood stores and eateries, and they sometimes spend more money than drivers do. Superhighways for bicycles are a recent, encouraging trend (Raser et al., 2018). Such express bike paths provide dedicated bike lanes parallel to main highways, with few road crossings, and occasionally with a green pulse of synchronized traffic signals at junctions timed for quicker cycling, increasing the speed and security of long-distance cycling (Campisi et al., 2020). In order to accommodate the lengthier bike rides in urban centers, which are expanding not just in Australia and North America but also in Europe, cycle expressways are demonstrated to be both extremely prevalent and essential.
Gallo and Marinelli (2020) state that two modern developments will lead to an even greater surge in cycling in the upcoming years. Although bike sharing has existed in different forms for many years, it is currently expanding at quite astounding speeds. Bike sharing significantly expands bike availability, route flexibility, and access to and from public transportation. The incorporation of bike-sharing platforms into full mobility packages, such as public transportation, carpooling, and Uber-like car services (Nikolaeva et al., 2019a), which all offer an alternative to the personal automobile, is made possible by the ongoing technological advancement of these systems (Gallo & Marinelli, 2020). The increasing adoption of electric-assist bikes (E-bikes), first in China and now in northern Europe, is another noteworthy development. Due to its speed compared to mechanical bikes, e-bikes offer a more efficient option for driving a personal vehicle over greater distances.
E-bikes also make cycling more convenient when carrying big loads and in difficult terrain. E-bikes help bikers when they have to restart after standing at stop signage and traffic lights, particularly in urban regions with plenty of junctions. The most likely consumers of E-bikes appear to be seniors and those who commute a great distance to work (Andersson et al., 2020). The experts highlighted the growing acceptance of e-bikes among all demographic groups and for a range of travel needs. E-bikes partially replace mechanical cycling, but they also expand markets that did not originally exist and encourage those who had never cycled to use bikes. Additionally, research indicates that e-bikes are far less energy- and pollution-intensive than motorcycles and cars, which helps to promote the sustainability of transportation in general.
Recommendations
The following are some recommendations to various stakeholders for sustainable mobility focusing on cycling:
Greater accessibility to bicycles
Regional governments, employers, and other entities may encourage riding by using new technologies. More residents may have access to bicycles and e-bikes thanks to innovations in bike sharing, smart locks, and trip information (Handy & Fitch, 2022).
Improving the environment for active transport
For urban regulations to eventually take active transportation to the “next level,” complementary initiatives like bike sharing, reward programs for bike use, and marketing are required (Zagorskas & Burinskienė, 2019).
Constructing safe infrastructure
Notwithstanding their large numbers, bicycles and pedestrians remain vulnerable populations. Making fundamental decisions about how to allocate public space, which would still be frequently monopolized by the car, may be necessary to provide cities with the greatest infrastructures for active means (Zhao et al., 2018). Crossing redesigns, infrastructure upgrades for cars, and better signposting might help.
Promoting new behavior
Making cities more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly requires more than just improving the physical environment (Popan, 2019). The behavior of travelers can be changed to support the goal of sustainable urban mobility. Promotions, bike-sharing programs, and user rewards programs could all help achieve this.
Conclusion
Cycling is a great way to improve your sustainable mobility. By cycling, you can help to reduce your reliance on motorized transport, and you can also help to reduce your carbon footprint. If you are looking for ways to reduce your reliance on motorized transport, cycling is a great option. Cycling can help you to get around town without having to use a car, and it can also help you to save money on fuel costs. If you are looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint, cycling is a great option. Cycling can help you to get around town without emitting emissions from a car, and it can also help you to stay healthy and fit.
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