Network analysis of the Danish bicycle infrastructure: Bikeability across urban-rural divides

TL;DR

This study analyzes Denmark's bicycle network to assess spatial patterns of bikeability across urban and rural areas, revealing uneven distribution and potential for infrastructure improvements to enhance active mobility outside cities.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive spatial analysis of Denmark's bicycle infrastructure, highlighting disparities and proposing targeted investments to improve rural cycling conditions.

Findings

High share of low-stress infrastructure in Denmark

Fragmentation leads to low mobility for some cyclists

Bikeability is strongly spatially clustered in urban areas

Abstract

Research on cycling conditions focuses on cities, because cycling is commonly considered an urban phenomenon. People outside of cities should, however, also have access to the benefits of active mobility. To bridge the gap between urban and rural cycling research, we analyze the bicycle network of Denmark, covering around 43,000 km2 and nearly 6 mio. inhabitants. We divide the network into four levels of traffic stress and quantify the spatial patterns of bikeability based on network density, fragmentation, and reach. We find that the country has a high share of low-stress infrastructure, but with a very uneven distribution. The widespread fragmentation of low-stress infrastructure results in low mobility for cyclists who do not tolerate high traffic stress. Finally, we partition the network into bikeability clusters and conclude that both high and low bikeability are strongly spatially clustered. Our research confirms that in Denmark, bikeability tends to be high in urban areas. The latent potential for cycling in rural areas is mostly unmet, although some rural areas benefit from previous infrastructure investments. To mitigate the lack of low-stress cycling infrastructure outside of urban centers, we suggest prioritizing investments in urban-rural cycling connections and encourage further research in improving rural cycling conditions.