COMPARISON BETWEEN THE DIFFERENCES OF RECREATIONAL CYCLISTS IN NATIONAL SCENIC BIKEWAY AND LOCAL BIKE LANE

Abstract

This study investigates the recreational cycling and environmental preferences of cyclists in Taiwan. Compared to bicycle tourists using national scenic bikeways and recreational cyclists using local bike lanes, this study explores how the two types of users significantly differ in preferences. By using questionnaire and Ridit analysis, this study investigates two bikeway systems implemented by central and local government separately. The former is a 201.66 km-long bikeway network produced by the National North Coastline Scenic Administration. The latter is a 17 km-long coastal bikeway alone Hsin-Chu city which has been planned by city government. The national scenic bikeway attracts tourists to cycle mainly with the reason of tourist attractions and landscaping. Restated, cycling is not the tourists first priority; while the local bike lane provides opportunity for cycling under the purpose of leisure and exercise. There are two kinds of recreational bikeway in Taiwan, bikeways located in national scenic areas and built by the central government, and bikeways located in local areas and built by local governments. This study focused on the different preferences of recreational cyclists using these two kinds of bikeways. The two types of users differ in terms of the three As, namely accessibility, activity purpose and attraction. The first A is Accessibility. It denotes that bicycle tourists using national scenic bikeways come from all over the Island, while recreational cyclists using local bike lanes come from local areas. The second A is Activity purpose. It denotes that bicycle tourists using national scenic bikeways are motivated by sightseeing, while recreational cyclists using local bike lanes are motivated by leisure and exercise. The third A is Attraction. It denotes that bicycle tourists using national scenic bikeways are seeking tourist attractions, while recreational cyclists using local bike lanes are seeking high quality bicycle facilities.