Build it but where? A GIS methodology for guiding the planning of new cycling facilities

Concern over climate change, traffic congestion, and the health consequences of sedentary lifestyles has resulted in a surge of interest in cycling as an efficient form of urban transportation. The link between the presence of cycling facilities and increasing the numbers of cyclists has been well-documented; however no methodology for locating new facilities has been developed to date. In the absence of such a methodology, new facilities are often built with a view towards recreational cycling or keeping them “out of the way” of motorized traffic. However, in order to best serve the needs of current cyclists and attract future ones, methodologies need to be developed to objectively determine how to optimally locate these facilities. This paper uses Montreal, Canada as a case study. Montreal contains a considerable number of recreational and utilitarian cycling facilities and its transportation plan calls for a doubling of its network. This paper describes a method of us...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2010
• Where: Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting
• Authors: Larsen, J. & El-Geneidy, M.
• Keywords: Bicycling, Cycling, Cycling Facilities, GIS, Infrastructure Planning