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Introduction

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Cycling to Work

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology ((BRIEFSAPPLSCIENCES))

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Abstract

In 1817, Karl von Drais travelled 14 kms around Mannheim on a strange two-wheeled vehicle, a ‘running machine’, which is considered to be the ancestor of the bicycle. Two centuries after its invention, the bicycle is back on centre stage, and it may just be one of the keys to the mobility of the future.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Utility cycling emphasises its function as a means of transport, while recreational cycling refers to a leisure or sporting activity.

  2. 2.

    The research presented in this book is taken from the Volteface research programme. Relating to the social challenges of the energy transition, a dozen of projects have been carried out at the University of Lausanne with the support of Romande Energie and the Canton of Vaud [13].

  3. 3.

    Active mobility includes forms of travel that utilise human energy (walking, cycling, scooters, skateboarding, etc.). In Switzerland, we speak most frequently about ‘soft mobility’ in French (mobilité douce) or, in German, ‘slow transport’ (Langsamverkehr).

  4. 4.

    The terms mechanical, conventional or traditional bicycle in this book denote bicycles, which are propelled purely by the energy expended by their users (in contrast to e-bikes).

  5. 5.

    This telephone survey is carried out every 5 years using a sample of more than 50,000 people. The latter are questioned in detail about their mobility behaviour on a specific reference day (the day before the survey). The survey takes place throughout the year to avoid seasonal bias.

  6. 6.

    Another source, the Structural survey, shows lower figures though: 6.7% of the commuters (people working outside their home) travel less than 1 km, 25% between 1 and 5 kms and 21.3% between 5 and 10 kms. This would mean that half of the commuters work at a distance that is accessible by e-bike at least [17].

  7. 7.

    Furthermore, the car occupancy rate is low: 1.10 person for commuting journeys, 1.56 for all journeys.

  8. 8.

    However, only 27% of circuits (a circuit is a succession of journeys starting at home and returning back there) are made up of more than a simple round trip (OFS and ARE 2017).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geography and Sustainability and Observatory for Cycling and Active Mobilities, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Prof. Dr. Patrick Rérat

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  1. Prof. Dr. Patrick Rérat
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Correspondence to Patrick Rérat .

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Rérat, P. (2021). Introduction. In: Cycling to Work. SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62256-5_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62256-5_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-62255-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-62256-5

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