Investigating the Factors Affecting the Level of User Satisfaction with Inner-city Cycling Routes (Case Study: Cycling Routes in Tehran)

Problem statement: The rapid growth of metropolises has increased the population and the desire to use cars more. In the meantime, the metropolis of Tehran is not exempt from this problem and has been struggling with its many complications for years. The use and promotion of cycling as one of the cleanest modes of transportation has always been considered as one of the solutions. Many obstacles and factors influence the use of bicycle paths. Therefore, it is necessary to find solutions, with the help of which it is possible to get the most acceptance and satisfaction of citizens from these routes. In this regard, the upcoming research aims to investigate the factors affecting the citizens’ level of satisfaction with bicycle paths in Tehran based on the opinions and preferences of citizens who use these paths. This research is applied in terms of type and follows a mixed-method approach, combining the quantitative and qualitative research methods. At first, indicators were extracted through a review of sources. To measure the level of users’ satisfaction with the cycling paths, a number of 138 questionnaires were completed by Tehrani citizens who use these cycling routes. The factor analysis method was used to extract factors and multivariate regression to check the correlation between citizens' satisfaction with bike paths and the mentioned factors.  After 44 Varimax rotations, a total of 14 factors with a cumulative variance higher than 60% were extracted. Two of the above factors included only one index and were removed. A multivariate regression was established among the remaining 12 factors as independent variables and citizen satisfaction as dependent variables. A direct and meaningful relationship exists between citizens' satisfaction and road condition factors, visual factors, facilities and equipment, institutional factors, organizational status, social factors, traffic management and planning, and time factors. Therefore, it is suggested that managers, planners, designers, and all staff affecting urban planning pay attention to the factors influencing citizens' satisfaction with cycling routes.