Uni-Cycle: The Influence of Barrier Perception on bicycle commuting behaviour at Dalhousie University
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Date
2007-04Author
Barry, Shawn
Kay, Jennifer
Lui, Shirley
Martin, William
Publicover, Anne
Wysmyk, Jessica
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In Canada, 25% of national green house gas emissions come from transportation. For this
reason, transportation is seen as an important area to examine as a Greening the Campus
initiative at Dalhousie University. In order to further understand sustainability issues with
transportation on campus, this project sought to determine the influence of barrier
perception on the bicycle commuting behaviour amongst Dalhousie’s student population.
The research carried out was primarily for descriptive purposes and used a mix of inductive
and deductive methods. The primary research tool was a survey of the student population
that collected baseline data on commuting habitats and qualitative responses on questions
specific to bicycle commuting. The data collected revealed that 87% of commuting by
Dalhousie students is by sustainable modes, with walking accounting for the largest group
(58%) and bicycling the smallest (7%). The research also showed that the five strongest
barriers to bicycle commuting are: weather, travel time, wind, car traffic, and safety. When
these results were analyzed however, it was shown that there were very weak relationships
between barrier perceptions and the actual number of trips by bicycle. It was also discovered
that 65% of students at Dalhousie live within 2 km of campus. With these two results it
became clear that social factors and local environment are likely more significant
determinants of travel behaviour than the perception of physical barriers. Based on this
conclusion it was recommended that Dalhousie develop a comprehensive sustainable
transportation plan that examines all modes of travel together. This plan should include
provisions for transportation and demand management and mixed mode use. This
recommendation also suggests that pedestrian facilities and environments are the most
important area of focus for sustainable transportation on campus. Bicycles are still seen as an
important mode for commuting and could possibly be provided for with the construction of
pedestrian friendly infrastructure; but will not likely increase in use until more is known
about the social influences in commuter decision making.