Strategies for urban cycling: an analysis through generalized analytic induction

This study investigates the co-creation or co-destruction of value in the urban mobility ecosystem, focusing on the adoption of cycling in 25 European cities as a response to the escalating issue of urban traffic and the need for sustainable mobility. The purpose of this research is to explore how political interventions and their interactions influence bicycle adoption. Employing a macro-social marketing, service-dominant logic and public service logic, we analyzed these interventions and interactions during the year 2022. Methodologically, we combined Generalized Analytic Induction and Necessary Condition Analysis using data from the Global Bicycle Cities Index 2022 and the Pan-European City Rating and Ranking on Urban Mobility (secondary data). This approach allowed us to assess the effectiveness of various urban mobility management measures in promoting daily bicycle use. Our findings indicate that the high proportion of cycling infrastructure and a significant number of bicycle parking stations are necessary conditions for bicycle adoption. Additionally, we underscore the importance of integrating pull policies (such as shared bicycles, bike lanes, and bicycle parking) with push policies (like traffic management regulations). The implications of this study highlight the importance of holistic approaches in urban planning and mobility management. This work contributes to the literature on sustainable urban mobility by providing empirical evidence on the critical role of bike lanes and other infrastructure measures, offering a new perspective on value co-creation and absence of creation in the urban mobility ecosystem and its implications for policy and practice.