The role of innovation on Bicycle Commuting in Portugal

• Autor(a) principal: Léchaud, Carlota da Fonseca
• Data de Publicação: 2016
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/16639
• topic: Bicycle commuting; Bicycle infrastructure; Commuting; Cycling; Disruptive innovation; Public policies; Soft mobility; Domínio/Área Científica::Ciências Sociais::Economia e Gestão

New models of innovation and strategies of soft mobility, with the objective of lowering CO2 emissions and noise pollution, eliminate traffic congestion and increase public health, support the development of sustainable cities. In Portugal, car is the most used mode of transport for daily commuting and the rate of cycling for everyday travel is 1%, while the average in Europe is 8%. This research aimed to investigate the role of innovation and its contribution to the raise of bicycle commuting in Portugal. Methods comprise research mixed methods, both quantitative and qualitative, based on secondary data research and the elaboration of an online survey. The analysis of Portuguese public policies, bicycle industry innovations and bike commuting related initiatives over the past 10 years illustrates how much has been done. However, that is not enough to enhance bike commuting to the European average levels. It was, therefore, crucial to understand the commuters’ motives and barriers that undermine the use of bicycles as a means of transport, as well as innovations that contributed to bike commuting. Innovative knowledge and innovative technologies applied to the level of bicycle commuting could lead to disruptive innovation at different levels, such as legislation, promotion of safety and surveillance, bicycle and accessories, mobile applications and websites, infrastructures, intermodal transport or initiatives to promote bike as a mode of transport. The coordination of these innovations and measures, between public and private sectors, are crucial to make the shift to soft mobility aligned with European policy orientations.