Preferences for urban street space reallocation to encourage cycling: A Best-Worst Scaling profile case approach.

Malet Lambert, Isabella, Poortinga, Wouter ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6926-8545, Potoglou, Dimitris ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3060-7674 and Xenias, Dimitrios ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2973-9664 2025. Preferences for urban street space reallocation to encourage cycling: A Best-Worst Scaling profile case approach. Travel Behaviour and Society Item availability restricted.

	PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (901kB)
	PDF (Supplemental Material) - Supplemental Material Restricted to Repository staff only Download (2MB)
	PDF (Provisional File) - Accepted Post-Print Version Download (17kB)

Abstract

Traffic restrictions and the construction of cycling infrastructure are effective strategies to reduce private car use and promote active travel in urban areas. However, implementing these measures often involves reallocating existing street space, which can lead to public resistance. This study employed a Best-Worst-Scaling (BWS) profile case approach to examine preferences for different types of street space reallocation to encourage cycling and to explore how these preferences are influenced by psychological factors such as driver and cyclist identities, perceived infringement on freedom, and place attachment. A Britain-based sample of participants (N=509) evaluated images depicting various configurations of bike lanes, traffic restrictions, and cycle parking, where road or pedestrian space was reallocated to accommodate cycling infrastructure. Participants identified the most and least preferred features of these designs. The findings indicate broad public support for cycling infrastructure and traffic restrictions, although preferences varied significantly across street layouts. Participants particularly opposed the removal of car parking and showed a strong preference for reallocating road space rather than pedestrian space. Both cyclists and drivers favoured segregated cycling infrastructure over painted bike lanes on roads. While place attachment had limited impact on preferences, perceptions of cycling infrastructure as infringing on individual freedom emerged as a significant factor shaping space reallocation preferences. These findings offer insights for policymakers and urban planners, highlighting design strategies that may be more publicly acceptable and identifying areas where resistance to urban redesigns is likely to emerge.

Item Type:	Article
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Psychology Schools > Geography and Planning (GEOPL) Schools > Architecture
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	2214-367X
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	27 November 2025
Date of Acceptance:	25 November 2025
Last Modified:	28 Nov 2025 14:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/182709

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item