Explanation of factors influencing cyclists’ route choice using actual route data from cyclists

Doh Kyoum Shin

Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

The University of

Institute for Transport Studies

April, 2016

ii

The candidate confirms that the work submitted is his own and that appropriate credit has been given where reference has been made to the work of others.

This copy has been supplied on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement.

© 2016 The University of Leeds and Doh Kyoum Shin

The right of Doh Kyoum Shin to be identified as Author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. iii

Acknowledgements

There were many things happened during the PhD study and it was rather a hard time for me. However, I have enjoyed the study. I would like to sincerely and graciously thank my supervisors, Dr. Astrid Gühnemann and Dr. Ann Jopson. Without their help, I could not have completed the study. I feel that my English, though improving, is still not enough to enable me to express my thanks fully. I would like to thank my parents for their support and love. Unfortunately, my father did not live to see the outcome of my study. I also would like to thank all the participants who took part in the study, especially to those who provide route data collection and interview responses. Their help in these areas was critical to the success of the study, and was much appreciated by me. I also wish to say ‘thank you’ to Keith, Nurul Hidayati, Ian Philips and all the PhD students and staff of ITS. Keith especially provided much help for administrational matters during the study. Nurul Hidayati and Ian Philips especially provided valuable input and discussion during the study. I would also like to thank my senior colleagues Dr. Dong Pil Son, Dr. Young Jin Cho and Dr. Kwang Heum Yu for their advices. Finally, I really want to thank Minji Kim, Hyeran Ji and Su Yeon Ryu for providing me with lots of good cheer and support during the last four months. My thanks are extended to all of you. iv

Abstract

Cycling as a sustainable means of transport brings a number of benefits, which includes improved health and well-being for individuals, improved air quality and climate change, accessibility and reduced traffic congestion at the national level. However, despite the benefits of and the efforts by the government to promote this mode of transport, many short trips in Britain suitable for cycling are still made by motorised transport modes. People seem reluctant to change their mode of travel behaviour in favour of cycling. Therefore, it is important to understand the nature of complicated behaviour of people and the ones of cyclists at first. The thesis aimed to understand route choice behaviour for cycling for utility purposes in England. The thesis examined why cyclists use their current routes and how various features influence their choices. The thesis also probed the reasons for the choices and the relationship between the choice and the characteristics of cyclists.

A mixed method approach was applied for the thesis, using questionnaires, actual route data collection for quantitative methods and interviews for qualitative methods. This approach allowed the researcher to examine diverse aspects of the research questions, which individual methods were unlikely to address. The thesis has identified what route features are important for cyclists, and why these features are considered important. In terms of the issues regarding cycling infrastructures, the preferences of cyclists were found to be linked to the fear to motorised traffic on roads, which is a fundamental issue that may not be revealed through quantitative studies. Another key finding identified