Background information
Slowly but surely: how cycle paths should be redesigned
by Michael Restin
Those who commute by bike don't let winter slow them down
24.3.2022
Translation: machine translated
In the cold season, many bikes stay in the basement. But a large group of everyday commuters still stoically climb into the saddle. Together with Pro Velo Schweiz, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts asked them what motivates and bothers them.
No matter if it's cold, wet or gray - the bike is still better than a trip by car or public transport. With this mindset, quite a few people in Switzerland are on the road even in winter. At least when they regularly commute to work or education by bike from spring to fall. Almost three-quarters of them don't care about the external conditions, they pedal undaunted even in winter. The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and Pro Velo Schweiz jointly surveyed the factors that influence their behavior. The study is part of a research project on sustainable consumer behavior.
A hard core always commutes
Participants were found among those who took part in the "bike to work" campaign last year. For them, "in addition to the health aspect, the use of environmentally friendly mobility is also in the foreground," says Mai Poffet, co-project manager for "bike to work. All in all, of course, they represent a group that is enthusiastic about cycling. More than 11,000 of them provided information on their personal winter riding behavior via a survey in February.
88 percent of the respondents ride almost daily during the warmer seasons. And 73 percent of these particularly motivated people hardly let winter stop them. They continue to pedal almost daily. Those who do not belong to this hard core of long-term commuters put their bikes in the basement more often in winter. Overall, bicycle trips to work decrease by an average of 26 percent during the cold season.
Dissatisfaction with infrastructure
In addition to the bare figures on usage behavior, the initiators of the study wanted to find out which factors make cycling attractive in winter and what, if anything, prevents people from doing so. It is above all the circumstances on the roads: "According to our survey, satisfaction with the infrastructure is generally low," says co-study leader Marcel Zbinden in the media release. The potential for increasing bicycle traffic in winter is great in Switzerland.
A well-developed bike path also means that you can move quickly and don't get stuck in motorized traffic. In addition to good infrastructure, respondents are particularly motivated by the fact that traveling by bike saves time. This fits in with the negative aspects that slow down motivation in winter: if there is no sense of safety and the ride is stressful instead of a relaxed sporting activity, the bike is more likely to stop. It is good that something will change in the coming years with the Veloweggesetz and that the situation for all-weather cyclists will gradually improve.
Do you ride your bike to work?
- Yes, all year round.63%
- Yes, but only in good weather.21%
- No, the way is too far.11%
- No, the infrastructure is missing.2%
- No, not interested.4%
The competition has ended.
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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