Understanding the level of demand for active travel infrastructure is essential.
The demand for travel equipment is determined by the population (travel production) and land use (travel production and purpose). The expansion, location and demographics of the population want to create demand. The demographics of the population (gender, age and ability) are an influencing factor. For example, a densely populated residential area could generate a high demand for work and travel through an educational institute and a large employment centre. In this example, land use is an essential aspect of active travel and the generation of trips. The land use planning also refers to the distance travelled. This is a crucial factor in deciding whether people want to go to their daily commute on foot or by cycling.
Determinants of active travel
Many factors determine the tendency of people to walk and cycle differently.
- Infrastructure: Good quality, appropriately designed active travel infrastructure with meaningful network connectivity will maximise levels of active travel and improve safety given the underlying demand for walking and cycling.
- Gender: On average, men and women tend to walk at about the same distance each day, although men drive about 2.75 times longer than women.
- Age: People aged 10 to 34 years to go 1.4 times the average, while people over 65 are less likely to walk (0.4% of the standard). People between the ages of 10 and 14 tend to be 2.8 times above average, compared to 1.5 to 1.5 years at the age of 15 to 34, while people over 60 years tend to do so Perform cycles that are about 0.25 times the average.
- Land Use: Some places are used to travel more frequently (outdoor leisure facilities, indoor sports facilities, schools, colleges, public transport centres and hotels/motels) and large product businesses. In comparison, the frequency of education in schools, colleges and retail stores is relatively low.
- Scale and Proximity: The trend towards active travel should increase with the extent of development, but with decreasing speed.
- Safety: Personal safety or lack of security can be an important factor in limiting walking and cycling, especially for women travelling at night or on their own.
Most of these determinants are essential in both walking and cycling. The availability of bicycle storage and end-of-tour facilities, such as showers and loungers, is more likely to be experienced by cyclists. The perception of personal safety can be more relevant to pedestrians, especially at night.
A network of active and sustainable integrations for a high quality, well maintained, secure, accessible, connected, illuminated and signposted infrastructure for walking and cycling. The infrastructure should provide direct routes to destinations, including public transportation, and suitable end-of-travel facilities, such as Bike Parking bicycles, showers, changing rooms and loungers.
