Determinants of mode and route change following the opening of a new cycleway in Sydney, Australia

Background The impact of new bicycle infrastructure is under-studied, particularly in cities with under-developed bicycle networks. This paper assesses the factors associated with people taking up bicycling, and changing their usual bicycle route, following the opening of a new cycleway separated from traffic in inner-city Sydney, Australia. Methods 783 people using the cycleway were intercepted and surveyed at two sites. Linear regression was used to identify factors predicting the extent to which respondents had diverted from the shortest route to use the cycleway. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with respondents who had changed transport mode or bicycle route since the cycleway opened. The models included observed gender and age, trip purpose, attire, length of time riding regularly, and intercept location. Results The average distance respondents had diverted to use the cycleway was estimated to be 351 m, with commuters diverting by 252 m on average, and non-commuters by 551 m on average. The 40% of respondents who had switched mode to bicycle were most likely to: have been riding regularly for two years or less (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 8.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.60–11.84); appear over 29 years of age (AOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.02–2.23); and, in the case of commuters, be female (AOR 1.68, 95% CI 1.05–2.68). Conclusions Government agencies that want to give non-regular riders and more women the option to travel by bicycle should consider building separated cycleways. People will take a longer route to use separated cycleways, but to a lesser extent if they are commuting to work or study. Cycleway routes intended for commuting purposes should be as direct as possible.