A Study of Cyclists in Hamilton, Ontario: Perceived Availability of Cycling Facilities and Cyclists Motivations for Cycling

Abstract

<p>Despite the many individual and community benefits to cycling, commuter cycling rates across Canada are relatively low. This research seeks to understand how this can be changed by examining the motivations and cycling behaviour of cyclists residing in Hamilton, Ontario, a mid-sized Canadian city with below average levels of commuter cycling. This thesis is divided into two separate studies of commuter cycling behaviour. The first study employs a multiple logistic regression model to explore how the perceived availability of cycling facilities influences commuter cycling. The second study uses cluster analysis to classify respondents into groups based on the factors that motivate them to cycle. This research highlights the importance of bicycle-friendly workplaces and the need for municipalities to focus on creating areas of high density, mixed-use development in order to encourage cycling. This research also discusses the potential to promote cycling by targeting specific people with positive messages about cycling that are relevant to them. The researcher argues that, in addition to encouraging non-cyclists to start cycling, municipalities need to focus on getting recreational cyclists to start commuting by bicycle and encouraging existing cyclists to cycle continuously throughout their lives. The data for this study was obtained through a revealed preference survey that was designed and administered by the researcher.</p>