Masters Thesis Abstract: Katherine Taylor
Utilitarian Cycling - Investigating Latent Demand in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Transport modes and availability are a cause of urban decentralisation and also affected by suburbanisation. In New Zealand urban areas are low density and car orientated, resulting in high car use and associated effects. New Zealand urban planners are becoming aware of the societal and environmental consequences of car–orientated transport and are now focusing on reducing car use, including through a shift to alternative modes of transport such as walking and cycling. My research focuses on a modal shift to cycling for transport due to its health, social and economic benefits. Health recommendations can be met by cycling 4-5 kilometres each way to work. Active commuting also enables more social interaction, particularly important for school children. Economic impacts are gained from transferring motorcar trips to bicycle.
The research focuses on Christchurch, which has predominantly flat topography and considerable urban sprawl, with consideration given to the broader trend of utilitarian cycling in New Zealand through census data analysis. While the Christchurch urban form is conducive to cycling, the infrastructure also provides for easy car access. My research addresses the need for data beyond those who currently cycle to work regularly to those who do so irregularly, the latent demand for utilitarian cycling. The objectives are to identify characteristics of this latent demand group and explore the issues relating to cycling for transport. A literature review will be conducted to identify characteristics of latent demand cyclists followed by a questionnaire distributed to Christchurch workers. Focus groups will then explore the issues, including barriers and motivations, for cycling to work from the perspectives of potential cyclists identified through the questionnaire.