Building a bridge, transport infrastructure and population characteristics: explaining active travel into Glasgow

McCartney, G., Whyte, B., Livingston, M. and Crawford, F. (2012) Building a bridge, transport infrastructure and population characteristics: explaining active travel into Glasgow. Transport Policy, 20, pp. 119-125. (doi: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2012.03.003)

Abstract

Background It is widely agreed that walking and cycling are good for individual and public health. There is a lack of evidence about what works to promote active travel. This paper aimed to explain the variation in active travel into Glasgow, a post industrial city in the West of Scotland.<p></p> Methods Census travel data from 2001 and data from a cordon count performed over 2 days in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 were used to estimate the number of pedestrians and cyclists entering and leaving the city centre from four city sectors. <p></p> Results In 2001, pedestrian commuters (12.6%) were more common than cycling commuters (1.3%). There was no clear pattern in cycling or pedestrian commuting by deprivation. The number of cyclists crossing the cordon increased between 2007 and 2010 but interpretation of this is difficult because of variation in seasons and weather. The highest level of cycle commuting was from the sector with the best cycling infrastructure and the highest pedestrian commuting was in the sector without significant road or river barriers. The construction of a new bridge over the river Clyde was associated with an increase in the number of pedestrians and cyclists entering and leaving the cordon from that sector, even after accounting for displacement. <p></p> Conclusion Active travel in Glasgow is relatively uncommon but is facilitated in areas with fewer physical barriers and better infrastructure. Cordon counts can provide useful localised data on levels of active commuting into city centres. <p></p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Livingston, Dr Mark and Whyte, Mr Bruce and Crawford, Ms Fiona
• Authors: McCartney, G., Whyte, B., Livingston, M., and Crawford, F.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HE Transportation and Communications
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: Transport Policy
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0967-070X
• ISSN (Online): 1879-310X
• Published Online: 30 March 2012