Methodology to Identify a Key Set of Elements Influencing Bicycle-Metro Integration: A Case Study of Hyderabad, India

Rapid urbanization and related motorization along with random development at the suburban level without adequate infrastructure have created several transport-related externalities such as (a) traffic injuries and fatalities, (b) congestion, (c) transportation-related air and noise pollution and d) mobility issues faced by poor in a typical urban Indian context. In this regard, the increased use of public transit (PT) system could be an effective demand-management instrument to mitigate the above-mentioned externalities. Although, bus is the most popular PT-mode across the nation, metro rail has emerged as an effective alternative during the recent past. Nevertheless, a successful metro rail system incorporates an efficient feeder system. The inadequate supply of feeder system for the metros, arising due to the absence of the necessary planning is consequently forcing the metro riders to stick to auto-rickshaws or private motorized vehicles like two wheelers, which in turn are polluting the environment. On the other hand, bicycle transportation, if planned and implemented with necessary measures, could be an effective, pollution free and cheaper feeder to metro in a typical Indian context. In this regard, this paper aims to propose a methodological framework to identify the key set of factors influencing bicycle a feeder or access transportation mode to metro by understanding the perception of bicyclists and non-bicyclists towards key attributes related to bicycle-metro integration.