A Study on Bicycles Promotion for Reductions in CO2 Emissions

Hong Joo Lee, Tai-Woo Chang, and Hyunsoo Kim

Department of Industrial Management Engineering, Kyonggi University
94-6 Iui-dong,Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Korea
{blue1024, keenbee, hskim}@kgu.ac.kr

reducing carbon emissions using an activation framework.

Abstract
Today, many countries and organizations have suggested 2. Literature Review
research methods for reducing CO2 emissions. However, they Today, transport policies must ensure environmental
have not performed sufficient researches on their suggestions, friendliness, energy savings, the pursuit of social
and their results are insufficient. Hence, many organizations development, and a comfortable urban transportation system
have conducted researches on methods to reduce CO2 that provides green transports [1].
emissions. As the outcome of these researches, we have In recent times, bike paths have expanded rapidly.
demonstrated the potential of new traffic systems using However, most of the improvements have focused on
bicycles. Cycling presents many advantages as a short- constructing bicycle/pedestrian trails and improving
distance transportation mode in urban areas: it can contribute sidewalks. Moreover, numerous inconveniences have been
to relieving congestion in city centers by reducing car trips; it caused to pedestrians and cyclists [1]. A bicycle provides
is truly environmentally friendly, providing mobility free of short-range transport services and helps to improve the
CO2 emissions. However, such bicycles systems are only quality of life. Green cities and cycling policies have been
small improvements and do not adequately consider current implemented in France, Britain, and Western Europe. In spite
scenarios and customer requirements. The system is merely a of these benefits, cycling has not seen significant increases in
benchmark of successful cases of some leading organizations. recent years and remains a marginal transport mode in many
In this paper, we have examined the activation framework of countries [2]. Shin (2006) has studied propose of cycling in
bicycles on the basis of previous researches. the paper.

Keywords: bicycle, reducing CO2 emissions, Green <Table 1> Propose of cycling
Transportation Purpose Rate
1. Introduction Leisure 48.00%
In recent times, global warming issues have become Shopping 21.00%
significant, and various measures for reducing carbon
Friendship 8.00%
emissions have been studied. However, many researchers and
organizations are still not able to realize remarkable Attendance 6.00%
performances with respect to alleviating global warming Going to School 4.30%
issues. Business 2.80%
As a result, green transportation systems are being
competitively investigated by governments and companies. Sports 2.80%
Moreover, as part of green growth, researches for Farming 2.80%
environment friendly transportation systems such as bicycles Private institute 2.30%
are currently underway. Cycling is increasingly recognized as
Private use 2.00%
a clean, sustainable mode of transport and an essential part of
an inter-modal plan for sustainable urban travel. More cycling <Source: Shin, 2006>
in urban areas in place of car use could contribute to less Many people enjoy bicycle for leisure and shopping.
energy consumption from travel activity and reduced <Table 2> shows car drivers and cyclists are feels that the
congestion. Cycling also provides an opportunity for regular cycle network is incomplete. However, they think that
exercise, with potentially significant health benefits if people cycling is fun and environment-friendly. In other words, to
use bicycles as a daily means of transport. Until now, bicycles prevent or minimize traffic accidents, congestion, air
have been primarily used as a simple means of movement and pollution, and noise pollution in cities and to enhance the
leisurely activities. Today, the urbanization rate in Korea quality of life through regular exercises, policies to encourage
exceeds 90%, and the density of cities is relatively higher bicycle usages have been intensively implemented [5].
than those of foreign cities. Hence, the Korean government Seoul in Korea provides public bicycle rent service. Seoul
has examined the existing transportation systems and city provide information about weather and bike path through
considered using bicycles as an alternative means of carbon website. Also, they serve easy payment service for visiting
reduction; however, considerable researches are still required. foreigner in Seoul. Figure 1 shows Seoul bike system.
In this paper, we have examined previous researches on

978-1-61284-952-2/11/$26.00 2011 IEEE 553 IEEE Int'l Technology Management Conference

 <Table 2> Barriers and attractors for cycling separated in cyclists and car drivers
Road users Barriers for cycling Attractors for cycling
You cannot transport heavy things
Cycling is fun
You depend on the weather
Cycling is healthy
Car drivers Cycling is dangerous
Cycling is environment-friendly
The cycle network is incomplete
You make exercise
Badly signed cycle routes
High speed of car drivers Cycling is healthy
The cycle network is incomplete You feel flexible and independent
Cyclists
Lack of secure parking You are fast
Car noise and fumes Cycling is environment-friendly
<Source: EU research project WALCYNG, Proceedings Velo-city 97 Barcelona 15-19 Sept. 1997>

theft often goes beyond the competence of the Ministry of

Transport to other Ministries and government agencies [2].
Other measures include having better traffic signs on roads,
better lighting on bicycles, and educating cyclists and car
users on their respective behaviors in traffic [2]. It should also
be noted that the safety of pedestrians and other more
vulnerable road users should be considered, especially when
they share pavements with cyclists. The separation of cyclists
and pedestrians is also desirable wherever possible [2]. In
addition, to prevent thefts, police should check stolen
bicycles and try to find its owners [5]. As shown in Table 3,
cycling promotion policies have a variety of objectives,
<Figure 1> Seoul Bike including promoting cycling activities as a means of travel, as
<Source: http://www.bikeseoul.com> well as objectives related to the environment, safety, health,
and tourism. Hence, not only Transport Ministries but also
In bicycle town with excellent facilities, such as Mnster
other national government bodies as well as regional and
and Saarbrcken in Germany, bicycle crossings have been
local governmental bodies are also implicated in cycling
installed on all main roads, and one-way streets have been
policy planning and implementation processes.
converted to two-way bicycle lanes to facilitate the
movements of cyclists and reduce the distance. To promote
the use of a bicycle network in urban areas, The Ministry of
Transport and Communications in Finland has focused on
bicycle network projects. They are also attempting to improve
the utilization rates. Thus, cyclists require space and support
from facilities for maintenance requirements.
Moreover, they should not cut through the already existing
road network connectivity. If there is a dedicated bicycle road
system, a user will find bicycles more convenient, and safety
is also considerably improved.
As shown in Figure 2, countries with high bicycle usages, <Figure 2> Inverse relationship between bicycle use and
such as Denmark and the Netherlands, have already reduced casualties
the number of cycling casualties. The data for Malta indicates <Source: C. Hyden, A. Nilsson et al., 1999>
that cycling activities are discouraged by a lack of standards
for safe driving on the road and a mixture of bicycles and Improving safety and the environment appear at the top of
other heavy traffic. Cyclists safety can be enhanced in the list of objectives for cycling policies within Transport
numerous ways, most notably by reducing the speed of Ministries, according to the survey. These key objectives are
motorized traffic. Such a measure is good not only for followed by increasing cyclings modal share, reducing
cyclists but also for road safety in general and the congestion, improving mobility and promoting better
environment (from noise and emissions viewpoints). Cyclists physical health.
safety can also be improved by reducing encounters between Moreover, Kim et al. (2008) have researched the
cyclists and other faster traffic by separating them with cycle disadvantages of using bicycles; their analysis can be seen in
lanes [2]. Table 4.
Fear of bicycle theft can greatly discourage people from
using their bicycle. Fear of theft is also a reason that many
people choose to purchase a used bicycle in poor condition
that is often unsafe. The responsibility to deal with bicycle
 <Table 3> Key objectives of national cycling plans <Table 6> Bicycle promotion
Number of Promotion Rate
Objectives
Countries Maintenance and construction of road
48%
Promoting traffic safety 11 for bicycle
Reducing environmental Increase of convenience facilities for
9 15%
problems/Improving air quality bicycle user
Protection system by law for bicycle
Strengthening the role of bicycles as 14%
user
a means of transport / Increasing the 8
modal share of cycling Event promotion for cycling 14%
Cycling of social leader 8%
Reducing congestion/car use 6
Etc 1%
Improving mobility 6
<Source: Kim et al, 2008>
Promotion of physical health/
5
Reduction of health costs
<Table 7> Success factors for public bike systems
Promotion of leisure/tourism 3
Factor Description Importance
Development and maintenance of Quality and quantity
2
infrastructure of designated cycling
Integration of all sustainable modes space
of transport
2 Infrastructure
dedicated bike lanes,

Reduce cycle theft 1 intersection facilities,

slow streets
<Source: ECMT, 2004>
Perception of mode
<Table 4> Complaints with bicycles usage Public Attitudes willingness to share

to Cycling the road willingness
Complaints Rate to utilize mode
Lack of roads 35% Capacity to motivate
Anxiety of Traffic accidents 31% Quality of Public
Transit Service
residents to forgo
Lack of bicycle parking 13% auto trips to CBD
lack of bike paths 12% System
Availability
Hours of Service
Illegal Parking on the street 7%
Pavement problems 2% Cost of use including
System
monetary and
<Source: Kim et al, 2008> Accessibility
convenience costs
According to the research from Korea Research Institute Demand for one way
for Human Settlements as shown in Table 5, many people do Density and Trip trips in multiple
Demand directions and at all
not use bicycle for safety, long time and distance and social
potion, etc. day parts
Moreover, Kim et al. (2008) have researched the bicycle Location specific
promotion in Table 6. In other words, the promotion of the network design
Network
use of bicycles and bicycle lanes and the installation and
Configuration
based on system
maintenance of related facilities are very important. objectives and travel
demand
<Table 5> Reasons for not to use bicycle Speed of access, real
Factor Rate Technology time information,
Platform privacy and security
Safety 25%
of data
Long time and Distance 18%
Bike specifications
Social Potion 16%
respond to user
Unconvinced for riding 15% demographics and
Bikes &
Need more bicycle parking station 11% Terminals
operating conditions;
Cannot riding 7% Terminals are visible
and user interface is
Etc 8% good
<Source: Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements, 2007>
 Bikes and access <Table 8> Bicycle program problems
Maintenance terminals in good Service and System
operating condition Bicycles register bike
Bicycle
Mechanism to system using Internet
Registration
Bike address asymmetrical and cellular phone.

Re-distribution demand for bikes by Infrastructure Bicycle parking
location Parking
station/Bicycle status
Station
Terminals and (Parking/Rental etc)/
(Station)
Safety & cycling facilities are Location
Security well lit and patrolled
Emergency
as necessary information/ Location
<Source: Quay Communications Inc, 2008> Accident service using GPS/
Public Bike Systems are studied by Quay Communications Information Hospital information/
Inc. They studied about marketing strategy for bicycle Emergency medical
promotion in the paper and feasibility study on Public Bike service
Safety
Systems. Table 7 show Success Factors for PBS. Health care
information
3. Promotion framework Healthcare
considering user vital
Many researchers in previous research analyzed bicycle signal
policy and users revealed preference. Thus, we analyzed
bicycle program problems in Table 8 through literature review. Bicycle location
Security
Many countries and organizations build bicycle system in service using GPS
cites, however, the system have below problems. Intersection
We are considering Table 8, we studied about What makes Information for safety
people use the bicycle? In this paper, we suggested relevant driving/Congested
Traffic
factors to take into previous research. These are infrastructure, street traffic
Information
management system for bicycle, security for cycling and information/Graphic
availability of public transport and cars, etc. display system for
In this research, we have examined research frameworks users
for bicycle activation on the basis of previous researches; we Traffic
Optimal path in
have proposed a research framework for bicycle promotion Report
situation/Linked
from best practices and previous researches. Table 9 shows Path
transport systems/
our research framework. We have investigated two attributes Passing time by path
for the research framework basic and application. Basic
Real time bicycle
implies one that is basically provided for the purpose of
Traffic traffic information
bicycle use. We have also analyzed the requirements for
Control using DSRC, RFID
bicycle activation on the basis of applications. We have
and Zigbee
analyzed facilities, system management, and fun and
informative approaches. Table 9 shows our research Main points/ Hotel
framework for bicycle activation. and convenience
Travel system/ Reservation,
4. Results Information event and weather
In this paper, we have studied bicycle activation on the information/Traffic
basis of previous researches and best practices in Korea and jam
other countries. Table 9 shows our research results. Our
research framework for bicycle activation examined fun and Linked
Linked public
informative approaches using new technologies such as Transport
Additional transport information
Smartphone. This research is different from previous Information
Information
researches such as those on the level of existing bicycle Location information
system managements. However, more surveys on the best service using mobile
practices and bicycle user requirements through interviews devices/ Theft
Multi Modal
are still required. prevention using
Communica
GPS/Bicycle mileage
tion
program/Integrated
linked multi-modal
system
 <Table 9> Research framework for bicycle activation References
Attribute Factor 1. M.S Kim et al, The Bicycle Transit Activation for a
Bicycle road Green Traffic Environmental Realization in Daejeon,
Bicycle Korean Society of Civil Engineering Conference, Oct.
parking 2008, pp.1195-1198.
Based (Station) 2. European Conference of Ministers of Transport,
infrastructure Traffic Implementing Sustainable Urban Travel Policies: Moving
Facilities signal Ahead National Policies to Promote Cycling, OECD
system for Publishing (2004), pp.43-60
bicycle 3. Shin, Hee Cheol, Basic Plan for Implementing Bicycle
GPS/ Route along the Regional Road, Korean Transport
Rent Bicycle Electric Institute (2006).
bicycle 4. EU research project WALCYNG, Velo-city 97
Supply Chain Distribution/ Barcelona, Sept. 1997.
Basic Management Reservation 5. H.J Han, A Study on eco-friendly Bicycle Culture, The
User Korea Transport Institute Conf, Kyonggi, Korea, March.
tracking 2008, pp.67-83.
management 6. http://www.bikeseoul.com
Integrated User Tracking (Mobile/Inte 7. C. Hyden, A. Nilsson & R. Risser, Cycling, the way
Managem rnet/Reservat ahead for towns and cities, European
ent ion at Commissionz(1999).
Systems Parking) 8. M.S Kim et al, The Bicycle Transit Activation for a
Location Green Traffic Environmental Realization in Daejeon,
tracking/ Korean Society of Civil Engineering Conference, Oct.
Theft 2008, pp.1195-1198.
User
Prevention
Authenticati 9. Feasibility study on Public Bike Systems, Quay
on Communications. Inc ,Vol.3 ( 2008). (Report)
Participation 10. Strategies for Institutional improvement for the activation
program of the bicycle utilization, Korea Research Institute for
using smart- Human Settlements(2007).
Fun phone with
social
network
Applicat service
ion Health/Well-
being/Path-
Informative
way using
smart-phone
Carbon-
Public Performance millage
program