Improving Attitudes toward Cycling in a Middle East and North Africa Region City.

This paper aims to investigate the impact of different parameters on promoting the role of cycling as a daily mode of transport. In the first step of the analyses, binary logistic regression was used to examine the impact of different parameters on using or not using the bicycle as a transportation mode in weekly trips. Then by text mining, the main reasons for not using a bicycle in weekly trips are outlined. Finally, for those who use bicycles for at least one utilitarian trip a week, the effect of different factors on the popularity of this mode is investigated by structural equation modeling. Tehran, as a big city in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, was considered as the case study. The results suggest that it is necessary to work on social norms about cycling, especially among those with higher education levels and income. Women use bicycles less than men and it is also necessary to rethink attitudes and regulations in relation to women cycling in Islamic countries. Bicycle promotion should aim to facilitate more positive attitudes among women. Providing more facilities such as safe bicycle paths, bicycle parking, and bike-sharing facilities have significant impacts on using this mode and its popularity. In highly congested cities, alongside facilitating cycling, it is important to set restrictions on private car use. The United Nations has outlined sustainable development goals (SDGs), which among other important aspects focus on transportation systems in the cities. Attracting citizens to bicycles can be an effective step to establish a more sustainable future transport system. To contribute toward this objective, the current study aims to investigate the impact of different parameters on increasing the popularity of cycling and proposing countermeasures to attract more people to this mode. Tehran, the capital of Iran as a big Middle East and North Africa (MENA) city in a developing country with substantial sustainability challenges, was considered as the case study and 1,074 people in different districts of the city were surveyed. The practical results suggest that it is necessary to work on social norms about cycling, especially among those with higher education levels and income. Women use bicycles less than men and it is necessary to rethink attitudes and regulations in relation to women cycling in Islamic countries. Bicycle promotion should aim to facilitate more positive attitudes among females. Providing more facilities such as safe bicycle paths, bicycle parking, and bike-sharing facilities have significant impacts on using this mode and its popularity. In highly congested cities, alongside facilitating cycling, it is important to set restrictions on private car use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]