Four Types of Cyclists? Examination of Typology for Better Understanding of Bicycling Behavior and Potential

The labeling and the categorizing of cyclists have been occurring for more than a century for a variety of purposes. This study examined a typology developed by the City of Portland, Oregon, that included four categories of cyclists: "the strong and the fearless," "the enthused and confident," "the interested but concerned," and "no way, no how." Unlike several other typologies, this widely referenced typology was intended to apply to all adults, regardless of their current cycling behavior. An analysis was conducted with data from a random phone survey (n = 908) of adults in the Portland region. Adults were placed into one of the four categories primarily on the basis of their stated comfort level with cycling on a variety of facility types, their interest in cycling as transportation, and their physical ability to bicycle. Nearly all of the sampled population fit clearly into one of the four categories. A majority (56%) of the region’s population fit in the interested but concerned category, which was thought to be the key target market to increase the use of cycling as a form of transportation. The analysis indicated that a reduction in traffic speed and an increase in the separation between bicycles and motor vehicles (e.g., cycle tracks) might increase levels of comfort and cycling rates. Women and older adults were underrepresented among the more confident adults and those who currently cycled for transportation.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/2387-15
• Summary URL:
  http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Four+Types+of+Cyclists%3f+Examination+of+Typology+for+Better+Understanding+of+Bicycling+Behavior+and+Potential&author=J.+Dill&author=N.+McNeil&publication_year=2013
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/170274.aspx
• Authors:
  • Dill, Jennifer
  • McNeil, Nathan
• Publication Date: 2013

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 129–138
• Monograph Title: Bicycles 2013: Planning, Design, Operations, and Infrastructure
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2387
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycle travel; Bicycling; Cyclists; Travel behavior
• Uncontrolled Terms: Typology
• Geographic Terms: Portland (Oregon)
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01473900
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309287067
• Report/Paper Numbers: 13-5213
• Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 27 2013 9:20AM