Introducing a Framework for Cycling Investments Prioritization

Keywords: Bicycle Facility, Cycling Investments Prioritization, Network Connectivity, Equity, Modal Shift
Abstract Type: Virtual Paper Abstract

Abstract

Concerns over urban congestion, air pollution, and health disparities have promoted many cities to expand their bicycle networks to foster a cycling culture. Due to a limited budget, it remains challenging to choose a set of road segments for investments in cycling infrastructure to achieve cities’ ambitious goals. This study introduces a quantitative framework for prioritizing future bicycle improvement projects for implementation within budgetary constraints using different intervention strategies with regard to specific goals and objectives. The “connectivity-focused” prioritization strategy aims to consolidate bicycle network and improve network connectivity. The “equity-based” strategy grows bicycle network favoring cycling equity goals. It prioritizes cycling projects that improve bicycle accessibility to urban opportunities for disadvantaged populations and mitigate disparities in access to bicycle facilities. The “modal shift” strategy seeks to build a bicycle network that would appeal to prospective bicycle commuters and thereby reduce vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The results highlight the importance of growing the bicycle network in a systematic way and prove that this framework is useful for guiding the implementation of new bicycle facilities with specific policy priorities.