Factor influencing bicycle usage in Indian cities

Abstract

Pune, Maharashtra, and Chennai, Tamil Nadu China, are cities in India with large population density and many private vehicles. These factors have led to traffic congestion, an increase in transport emissions, and deterioration of the environment. This study examines the asymmetric relationship between cycle users’ and non-users’ cycling environment elements and cycle users’ satisfaction to reduce traffic congestion and transport emissions. On the basis of survey data collected from private bicycle users and non-users and public bicycle sharing users and non-users in Chennai and Pune in February 2023, an improvement strategy for the cycling environment was developed. This study indicates that maintenance of bike infrastructure in Pune and Chennai has the greatest influence on overall satisfaction. In both cities, the cycling environment is different in the core area and periphery areas. Core areas lacking in dedicated space for cyclists combined with traffic congestion and narrow roads while periphery areas suffer from poor maintenance of infrastructure and lack of enforcement. In the case of public bicycle sharing findings suggest a lack of awareness of the usage of the system, no proper maintenance, and a lack of accessibility to docking stations. However, the periphery area should concentrate on improving the coverage of docking stations and bringing in enforcement to ensure that the bike lane remains a dedicated space for cyclists. The core area should focus on cycling ease and reliability of roads to provide a comfortable cycling environment. These are the key factors in enhancing the satisfaction of the users. The combination of Impact Asymmetry Analysis and the Random Forest Rank Method makes it possible to differentiate that the lack of enforcement and maintenance of cycle lanes is a priority for cycle users in Pune, while accessibility to cycling infrastructure is a priority for non-users and accessibility to cycling infrastructure is a priority for cycle users and non-users in Chennai. This user-oriented evaluation is a useful instrument that directs the establishment of precise measures, the operation of services, future design, and planning aimed at increasing cycle users.