Perceptions toward cycling in Zagreb area: Differences concerning age, gender and membership in the association “Trade Union of Cyclists” Cover Image

Percepcije biciklističkog prometa na području Zagreba: razlike u odnosu na dob, rod i članstvo u udruzi Sindikat biciklista
Perceptions toward cycling in Zagreb area: Differences concerning age, gender and membership in the association “Trade Union of Cyclists”

Author(s): Tena Šarić, Mislav Kirac, Vladimir Halgota, Marko Gregović, Joško Sindik
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Hrvatsko društvo za integralnost
Keywords: barriers; cycle traffic; social action; promoting cycling; safety; Zagreb

Summary/Abstract: Bicycle riding today is a widespread form of traffic, but the conditions for cycling in Zagreb, although improved, are still not satisfactory. The aim of this study was to determine gender differences along with differences in the perceptions of members of the association of Cyclists trade union with a “typical” Zagreb cyclist, in terms of various factors relating to the problems of cycling in Zagreb. The correlation between these perceptions and the age of the participants was studied. Over 3000 members of the association as well as cyclists who are not members of the association (“typical” cyclist) were interviewed using conveniently assembled questionnaire. Results show that the members of the association bicycle on average more often and for various purposes compared to typical cyclists and are more motivated for more frequent and safer cycling in urban conditions, perceive more barriers to cycling, have more accidents of various types and see disadvantages of the current solutions offered by the City of Zagreb as more serious. Both the typical cyclists and the members of the association show similar trends in average results. Gender differences indicate the trend of rarer use of bicycles for women, as compared to men, which can be influenced by perceived (un)certainty of the bicycle traffic in Zagreb. The relationship between variables related to cycling with chronological age of the participants (with only one exception) was not found to be statistically significant, which is most likely due to the fact that a majority share of the participants are of a younger age. The results obtained in this study indicate a need for taking constructive social action to improve conditions for cycling in Zagreb and suburban areas.

  • Issue Year: III/2013
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 106-124
  • Page Count: 19
  • Language: Croatian