Mode Substitution Effect of Urban Cycle Tracks: Case Study of a Downtown Street in Toronto, Canada

With the growing environmental and health concerns associated with automobiles, municipalities across North America are investing in cycling infrastructure. These new infrastructures are often assumed to facilitate a mode substitution effect, i.e., encourage drivers to take up cycling as a mode of transportation. This study explored the potential impact of cycle tracks (i.e., physically separated bicycle lane within a street right-of-way) on short-term travel mode substitution behaviour. The authors present a quasi-experimental case study of Sherbourne Street, located in downtown Toronto, Canada, that was redeveloped in 2012 to include cycle tracks. The study used a street intercept survey method to record quantitative data on current and retrospective travel behavior. A short-term mode substitution effect was observed, with 38% of the sample reporting that they would use other travel modes than cycling before the Sherbourne Street redevelopment for making a trip to their current destination; the majority of them were previously transit users. Binomial logistic regressions indicated that younger cyclists were less likely to substitute a car trip for a cycling trip. Those who did not use Sherbourne Street previously to reach their current destination were more likely to substitute their travel mode. Improved safety was the most commonly reported reason for mode substitution. This study contributes to a very limited literature by providing much needed insights into impacts of cycle tracks on travel behaviour. Methodologically, this paper can inform the development of easy to implement survey/audit tools to be used by professionals at the community level.