FOUR TYPES OF CYLISTS? EXAMINING A TYPOLOGY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND BICYCLING BEHAVIOR AND POTENTIAL

摘要

Labeling or categorizing cyclists has been occurring for over a century for a variety of purposes.This paper aimed to examine a typology developed by the City of Portland that includes fourcategories: Strong and the Fearless, Enthused and Confident, Interested but Concerned, and NoWay No How. Unlike several other typologies, this widely referenced typology is intended toapply to all adults, regardless of their current cycling behavior. Our analysis used a randomphone survey (n=908) of adults in the Portland, Oregon, region that included both land-line andmobile phone numbers; data were weighted to better reflect the population. Adults were put intothe four types based primarily upon their stated level of comfort cycling on a variety of facilitytypes, their interest in cycling more for transportation, and their physical ability to bicycle.Nearly all of the sampled population fit clearly into one of the four categories. A majority (56%)of the region's population fit in the Interested but Concerned category – thought to be the keytarget market for increasing cycling for transportation. The analysis indicates that reducingtraffic speeds and increasing separation between bicycles and motor vehicles, such as throughcycle tracks, may increase levels of comfort and cycling rates. Women and older adults areunderrepresented among the more confident adults and those who currently cycle fortransportation.