Cycling distance and detour extent: Comparative analysis of private and public bikes using city-level bicycle trajectory data

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the factors that determine the cycling distance and detours of private and public bike users under the context of Seoul, South Korea where the level of bike infrastructure provision and bike modal share remain low. For this, GPS-based bicycle trajectories were collected for one week throughout the city, resulting in 10,538 private and 25,844 public bike trips, comprised of 28,373 weekday and 13,509 weekend trips. The study team conducted a map-matching process to identify the exact segments the bicycle trajectories went through. Using the robust regression models, the study team found that cycling along the bike boulevards installed particularly in low-traffic districts and neighborhood routes tends to decrease detours, while cycling in green areas such as parks and riverside is positively associated with detours. Furthermore, it was observed that cycling routes passing through more intersections are more likely to be the shortest routes regardless of private or public bikes. As expected, cycling speed was positively related with cycling distance and detour extent. These findings are expected to enhance our understanding of how private and public bike users' route choices are associated with cycling infrastructure and environments in urban settings.