Evaluation and improvement on bicycle-friendly environment in the urban city center in a developed country (the case of Sapporo, Japan)

摘要

This study represents a key issue in the bicycle planning process for development of bicycle network plan. This step is very important for determining which streets should receive the highest priority for new bicycle facilities. The data from a questionnaire survey were used to study the characteristics of the travel behavior of all roadway users in the inner city center, in order to evaluate in which way roadways can be improved and how to make the environment more bicycle-friendly. The experience of bicycle-friendly cities in US and Western Europe was followed for giving conclusions and recommendations how to satisfy the needs of all roadway users. The conclusion is that existing roadway system must be modified. Our proposal for improvement with effective separation between cyclists and pedestrians by way of introducing bicycle lanes was accepted from pedestrians and cyclists. Drivers stay opponent to narrowing of their space on the road, but still, they declare themselves for giving priority to the cyclists in the case of realizing of this initiative.