ASTUTE has identified the barriers
which public and private sector organisations face in promoting walking
and cycling. These have in turn allowed us to formulate the ASTUTE
toolkit which comprises many best practice examples which will help
you overcome these barriers. So that you can target the issue relevant
to your organisation, we have categorised a total of 10 main barriers
and 44 sub-barriers.
ASTUTE Toolkit - 10 BARRIERS
The ten principal barriers which impede progress in increasing walking and cycling in cities across Europe:
1 - Safety and Security Concerns
The perceived or actual danger encountered whilst cycling or walking and the security relating to storage of associated equipment.
2 - Inadequate Information
Lack of information and communication regarding walking and cycling routes and the location of facilities. Ineffectiveness of promotional campaigns.
3 - Inadequate Urban Environment and Design
Challenging topography, climate and appearance of the urban area.
4 - Lack of Infrastructure and Support
Insufficient provision and maintenance of cycle lanes, walking paths, cycle parking and inter-changes with other transport modes.
5 - Poor Public Perception and Lack of Awareness
Walking and cycling not considered a viable transport mode as habits, lack of public interest and cultural barriers not successfully challenged.
6 - Accessibility and Health Issues
Absent walking and cycling facilities make modes inaccessible whilst insufficient fitness or mobility excludes some of the public.
7 - Lack of Public Sector Support
Cycling and walking initiatives and city wide coordination not successfully implemented due to low priority from politicians.
8 - Lack of Private Sector Support
Organisations lack awareness of benefits of Mobility Plans (Travel Plans) and so resources are not made available: Inadequate facilities for staff.
9 - Congestion and Air Pollution
Air pollution makes journeys uncomfortable and unhealthy for pedestrians and cyclists. Reduced accessibility for businesses due to congestion.
10 - Lack of Education and Training
Low level of cycling proficiency, cycle maintenance and road safety skills.
Sub barriers - Listed under barrier
1 - Safety and Security Concerns
- Unsafe routes for cycling/walking
- Lack of definite regulations on cycling
- Fear of theft or criminal damage to bicycles
2 - Inadequate Information
- Lack of information on how to reach destination safely
- Lack of information about walking/cycling routes
- Lack of convenient signage on walking/cycling routes
- Ineffectiveness of promotional campaigns
- Lack of information about walking and cycling facilities
- Lack of skills to promote walking and cycling amongst businesses and citizens
- Insufficient communication between city departments and citizens
3 - Inadequate Urban Environment and Design
- Lack of penetrability of city areas to walking and cycling
- Low level of importance of pedestrian use in the city centres
- Unattractiveness and low level of quality of urban environment for walking and cycling
- Climatical and topographical barriers
4 - Lack of Infrastructure and Support
- Lack of integrating existing networks
- Ineligible or lack of parking facilities in the city reduces the modal share
- Inadequate public transportation accessibility
- Lack of cycle tracks
- Lack of facilities of bike using (loaning, storage and repair facilities
- Lack of maintenance of the infrastructure
5 - Poor Public Perception and Lack of Awareness
- Lack of public interest
- Public approach of walking/cycling
- Low attractiveness of bicycle for longer journeys (e.g. commuters)
- Cultural barriers against cycling
6 - Accessibility and Health Issues
- Low level of environmental and health awareness among citizens
- Lack of competence of citizens / organizations and lack of power to enforce their interests
- Exclusion of people reduced mobility / minority / elderly / residents living areas difficult to access
- Low fitness levels among citizens
7 - Lack of Public Sector Support
- Transport policy prioritising private car/public transport
- Lack of co-ordination between city departments and NGOs responsible for walking and cycling
- Lack of appreciation of the value of marketing campaigns
- Lack of integrated planning of cycling and walking/pedestrian traffic
- Purchasing and keeping political support behind project
8 - Lack of Private Sector Support
- Lack of financial incentives to develop a travel plan for employees / school
- Lack of skills to implement actions for sustainable transport
- Insensitivity of companies towards employee transport preferences
- Inadequate resources and knowledge by employers to implement travel plan
- Inadequate facilities of walking/cycling in the workplaces (cycle park, changing room, shower)
- Inadequate incentives by employers to encourage walking/cycling to the workplace
9 - Congestion and Air Pollution
- Unbalanced level of utilization on public transport vehicles
- Level of car traffic and air pollution
- Reduced accessibility for businesses due to congestion
10 - Lack of Education and Training
- Lack of cycling and bicycle maintenance skills
- Children inadequate road safety skills