Understanding the preconditions for revitalizing bicycle transport in Beijing, with a reference study from Copenhagen

Abstract: Rapid urbanization and the growth in the number of motorized vehicles has dramatically marginalized cycling in Chinese cities since the end of the 1990s. The deterioration in air quality and the urban environment is severely challenging urban livability and public health. The cities are seeking effective policies to alleviate these problems, and revitalizing bicycle transport has received increasing attention. Being a capital city, Beijing has a significant influence on other Chinese cities. Previously, Beijing had a strong bicycle culture, but today it is under severe pressure from the increased use of automobiles. Thus, the objective of this study is to identify and understand the preconditions for revitalizing bicycle transport in Beijing, and to contribute to the development of effective strategies for revitalizing bicycle transport in the city.The study applied the socio-ecological model to explore the preconditions that potentially influence changes in travel behavior towards cycling in the following four domains: individual, social environment, physical environment and policy. It applied multiple approaches by employing quantitative and qualitative methods. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey research, semi-structured interviews, a review of historical documents and spatial data analyses. The analyses were carried out through statistical methods and a hermeneutic approach.Gender and generational differences were observed in relation to both current and future cycling trends; Beijing Hukou holders exhibited a negative attitude towards cycling in the future. Low education and income groups are strongly associated with the current level of cycling and attitudes towards future cycling and car purchasing. The effect of population density, public service facilities within a short distance from the neighborhood, job density at the sub-district level, commuting travel distance within 2km and 10km suggested that high density and mixed land use in the proximity certainly support cycling. Perceived cycling environment, especially perceived clarity of cycling space and perceived pro-cycling policy, are significant factors affecting the attitude towards future cycling and car buying. Bicycle infrastructure planning is far more than a technical task. The planning culture, reflected by the values, perceptions and cognitive frames shared in the public domain, is found to be closely connected with the bicycle infrastructure planning outcomes. Assumptions and espoused beliefs shared in the planning environments impact how generic planning principles for bicycle-friendly infrastructure are considered in the planning process, consequently, resulting in differentiated local planning practices. The values and beliefs of the planners that are embedded not only in a planning environment, but are also rooted in the wider societal environment, contribute to shaping the status and the role of bicycle transport in the specific urban context of two cities. Comparative studies are found efficient for enabling knowledge exchange, which can stimulate cities with little bicycle infrastructure planning experience to learn from cities with long traditions of building bicycle infrastructures. By sharing experience on how to cope with challenges for bicycle infrastructure planning, the identification of effective solutions in specific cities and in specific planning cultures could be accelerated. Prioritizing bicycle transport through integrating different policies is crucial to encourage more people to cycle.According to the findings from the papers, the thesis suggests four policy perspectives to achieve comprehensive policy to revitalize bicycle transport in Beijing. Those policy perspectives include targeting specific socio-demographic groups, increasing public awareness of the benefits of cycling, enhancing the bicycle-friendliness of infrastructure planning and design and prioritizing bicycle transport through comprehensive policies.