Chapter 2: Regional cycling policies
Chapter 2.6: Monitoring
Case study – the Czech Republic
The data is acquired through the scientific research project „CYCLE21: Analysis of needs for construction of cycling infrastructure in the Czech Republic“. The project is implemented under the National Research Program 2004 – 2009 of the Czech Ministry of Transport (n. 1F43E/045/210) and is realised by CDV (Transport Research Centre), UK COŽP (Centre for Environmental Issues at Prague Charles University) and ČVUT FD (Czech Technical University – Faculty of Transport). The data is presented in the four areas:
- Cycling shares in the modal split and influence of length of trips on the use of a mode of transport
- Sociological surveys on transport behaviour (Pilsen)
- Use of newly constructed cycle infrastructure and use of cycle helmets
- Database of cycle ways and parameters of cycling infrastructure
Cycling shares in the modal split and influence of length of trips on the use of a mode of transport
Taking into account the Czech statistics on real shares of cycling within the modal split, we find out that there are localities in the Czech Republic where cycling is the mode of transport n. 1. Among numerous results we can quote e.g. the city of Uničov which has the biggest share of commuters by bicycle to work: 41,7% (relatively high shares apply mainly to the cities with the population above 5000 inhabitants). The highest share of commuters by bicycle to work is in the municipality of Labské Chrčice: 62,5%. The average share of cycling in the overall modal split in the Czech Republic is 7,3%. Deatiled data was presented at the National Cycling Conference and will be stored in the national cycling database.
Consequently it implies that campaigns on increase of bicycle use in a certain category of Czech cities and municipalities are not necessary, as users – cyclists do exist, but improvement of the cycling infrastructure is what they need actually.
Figure: Cycling shares in the modal split (commuting to work)
CDV and Czech Technical University, Transport Faculty - ČVUF FD 2007
Sociological surveys on transport behaviour (Pilsen)
The research report includes the study on evalution of utility and attractiveness of cycling and a summary on potential funding resources for cycling infrastructure in the Czech Republic.
The basis for reaching the partial objective were the findings from the travel behaviour survey which was implemented by sociological method in two pilot residential zones in the city of Pilsen. There were elaborated descriptive statistics of the selected pilot group and variables on accessibility of transport alternatives (ownership of a bicycle, driving licence, car, public transport card etc.). Further data on number of trips made for various purposes and shares of all the transport modes – not only cycling – were collected. For the questionnaire, two different methods of measuring regular trips were used – first: direct answer to the question about the most used mode of transport for regular trips, second: experimentally acquired data on trips on a selected working day. The data acquired by both alternative methods were compared. The model explaining the choice of means of transport was based only on summarising data on most frequently used means of transport – see the picture n.5. The effect of explaining factors was tested by means of the statistic chi-quadrate, t-tests, linear and logistic regressions (Braun Kohlová & Brůhová-Foltýnová, 2006).
A part of the research outputs on travel behaviour has been used for processing the cost-benefit analysis of cycling infrastructure, a case study for the city of Pilsen.
Figure: Coefficients of the regression model on choice of transport mode
The report gives an overview of economic tools which can be used for support of cycling and a summary of funding possibilities for construction of cycling infrastructure in the Czech Republic. Further on, practical examples from several Czech cities show good solutions for the use of subsidies for support of cycling. Attention was paid also to analysing the tax systems and their relations to cycling in the Czech Republic and other countries. The best tax measures are pointed out.
Use of newly constructed cycle infrastructure and use of cycle helmets
The report informs also about the use and benefits of newly constructed cycle paths (co-financed from the National Transport Infrastructure Fund in 2002-2003). Twenty localities were selected for measuring the intensity of cycle traffic, fourty measurements were effectuated. The research is coherent and the data on cycle traffic volumes are comparable for both - working days and weekends. The counting sheets contain a many-sided information, also on respondents (the gender, age, if they travelled with a cycle helmet etc.). For each locality a detailed graph was elaborated.
Figure Localities for counting of cyclists
Database of cycle ways and parameters of cycling infrastructure
Regardless the mentioned facts, we may conclude that construction of new cycle paths is very good for increase of the bicycle use. In this context, we need to have data on the cycling infrastructure in the Czech Republic. In the nation-wide database, there are filed 1063,0 kms of bicycle-friendly routes which are designated to daily commuting to work, schools etc.. From the total number the 849 kms are of cycle paths and 214 kms of routes for non-motorised vehicles, signed by the B11 traffic sign (hereinafter „B11“) .
Figure Total length of bicycle-friendly routes – suitable for daily commuting
CDV and Czech Technical University, Transport Faculty - ČVUF FD 2008
Beside the „B11“ routes, forest and field paths are suitable for cycling and are heavily used by cyclists. All the suitable routes should be mapped and the total number of cycle routes would be different, even higher. The objective was so far to enhance mainly the routes / roads which are frequently used by cyclists, in many cases „popularly“ called „cycle paths“, often serving for daily commuting to work, school, eventually for leisure-time activities. The objective is to point out other roads / routes which are suitable for cycling and complete the existing stretches of separate paths. In urban areas we have mapped the „B11“s in the least cases, mostly we focused on non-urban areas and inter-urban routes connecting municipalities and used for linking the cycle networks.
