This study was conducted by the Chair for Collaborative Economy and Digital Transformation in collaboration with Las Naves (Valencia City Council). Its purpose is to learn more about the use of the cycling infrastructure in Valencia and of the public bicycle sharing service Valenbisi with the intention of identifying avenues for the improvement of mobility policies.
The study explores:
- The travel patterns of the various profiles of people using the cycle lane network.
- The inclusivity of the network.
- The travel conditions of “riders” *
We will then focus on the main results obtained and the conclusions reached from the empirical evidence of the study.
- In areas with a less dense cycle lane network, we found less traffic.
Benicalap-Nou Mestalla (1), Ronda Nord (2), Pérez Galdós (6), Avinguda del Port (9) and Ronda Sud (10) are the areas where the least number of commuters have been observed. These are areas with a rather peripheral location, where the cycle lane network is scarcer compared to more central areas.
On the other hand, in more central areas with a more dense cycle lane network, we observed more traffic. Specifically on Calle Xàtiva, the university zones (Facultats and Tarongers) and the bridges (Pont de Fusta and Pont d’Aragó).
- Nearly a third of commuters use electric scooters
57% of commuters observed use their own bicycles, 31% use electric scooters and 12% use Valenbisi. Electric scooters are particularly prevalent in peripheral areas where there are many routes entering the city from towns in the metropolitan area. Cyclists in those areas are more prevalently male and of middle age while Valenbisi users are more prevalent in the university areas.
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The city’s cycle lane network is predominantly used by young people
Nearly half of the commuters in the cycle lanes are under 30 years of age. This is a big contrast to the under-representation of people over 51 years of age, which only makes up 11% of the total.
Furthermore, it should be noted that there are differences in the use of the various vehicles according to age group. Young people use new transportation options more than other groups: 38% use electric scooters and 15% use Valenbisi. On the other hand, the older age groups are faithful to their bicycles: 75% use their own bicycles and only 26% use other options.
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More than 60% of the commuters observed on the cycle lane network are men
The gender bias among commuters on the cycle lane network is evident, given that women only represent 39% of total riders. Furthermore, this bias is more pronounced in less dense cycle lane areas: Ronda Sud, Ronda Nord, Pérez Galdós and Benicalap-Nou Mestalla.
Another factor affecting this bias is age: among young people, the bias is less pronounced and among older age groups it’s more pronounced. In people under the age of 30, women make up 42% of riders, while they only make up 10% in people over the age of 51.
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Helmet use varies greatly among vehicles and areas
41% of commuters observed wear a helmet. Among those commuters, nearly all who used an electric scooter wore a helmet. In contrast, 23% of commuters using their own bicycle wore helmets and only 4% of Valenbisi users wore helmets.
The differences in relation to area show that in peripheral areas with a less dense cycle lane network, helmet use is higher. It’s true that in these areas there are more electric scooter users observed, a fact that could affect the higher use of helmets observed there. However, if we observe helmet use in these zones among commuters who use their own bicycles or who use Valenbisis, we can confirm the pattern: in peripheral areas helmet use is higher.
Percentage of commuters who use a helmet according to vehicle
- Long-term subscriptions for Valenbisi are in decline
Long-term subscriptions for Valenbisi saw a rapid increase when the service was inaugurated. However, the number of subscriptions soon began to fall as the price of the service increased. On the other hand, short-term subscriptions have seen a positive trend, growing along with tourism.
- The gender bias among Valenbisi users is very low
46% of people who opt for this type of vehicle are women and 54% are men. The reduced difference between the genders appears to be related to the fact that the majority of Valenbisi users are young people (60% are under 30 years old).
- 3% of people on the cycle lane network are “riders”
The number of “riders” observed in 2021 fell 2% in comparison to the previous year. The decrease can be explained, in part, to the improvement of the epidemiologic situation (ordering for home delivery is no longer as prevalent), but could also be due to possible difficulties adjusting to the enforcement of the so-called Rider Law. In effect, the study has observed that companies that have undergone the process of “labourisation”** of these workers have experienced a decrease with respect to the previous year.
In addition, another possible effect of the Rider Act is the improvement of commuting conditions for this type of workers, as an overall increase in the use of protective equipment has been observed.
In short, based on the study’s data, the following recommendations can be made to improve the cycle lane network:
- Complete the network improvements set out in the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan.
- Implement measures to expand and improve the network in areas where deficiencies have been detected (especially entry routes from the metropolitan area).
- Guarantee the quality of infrastructures in areas with a dense cycle lane network.
- Design a regulating framework for private “sharing” activities.
- Propose policies to revitalise the Valenbisi service: change the management service, redefine the tariff policy or improve the quality of the service.
- Implement measures to incentivise and improve public transport.
