Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
holiday, and they emitted only 7 per cent of CO
2
emissions. Cycle tourists also
tend to travel shorter distances to enjoy their holiday (1146km on average, in
comparison to mainstream holidays accounting for a 2417km return trip). The
report concluded:
… cycle holidays are considerably more sustainable than main-
stream holidays. The key factors are shorter distances travelled
between home and destination and a more environmentally-
friendly choice of transport mode (less air travel and much more
rail travel). (European Parliament, 2009, p46)
Many impact studies have focused on one route or a small number of routes,
but collectively these studies present a generalized picture of the environmen-
tal (and social and economic) impacts of cycling. These evaluations have
focused on multi-user routes and, for the most part, on economic impacts
(Bowker et al, 2006; Institute of Transport and Tourism et al, 2008). In the
context of mountain bikes, Cessford (2002) has argued that there are three
main impacts: perceptions of physical impacts, safety hazards and cycling in
inappropriate natural settings. He undertook a study on the Queen Charlotte
Trail in New Zealand and concluded that physical impacts are minimal. Work
by Sterl (2008) found few impacts on wildlife when users pass through on a
clearly delineated route. Cessford also assessed the tensions between users, in
relation to reported accident rates between walkers and cyclists. He concluded
that the perception of safety reduction is greater than the reality. User conflict
is subjective and studies rarely question the extent to which reported conflicts
reflect the users' position rather than the physical reality (Dickinson and
Robbins, 2009).
There are a wide range of studies that seek to identify the relationship
between the physical environment, cycling and health, but these again refer
primarily to trails or open spaces in or near to urban areas (Wendel-Vos et al,
2004). Cycling is recognized as stimulating healthy exercise that in turn helps
to reduce cardio-vascular diseases and those associated with obesity. Mintel
(2007) suggests that healthy exercise is also an important determinant for
cycle tourists, especially those from middle-income groups, seeking cycling
holidays. Given the rise in obesity among western populations, cycling pro-
vides an opportunity to combine leisure with fitness, and this is an important
motivation for many middle-aged or older cyclists.
Summary
There is a natural affinity between cycling and slow travel, and this has
worked well in some destinations of the developed world. The core motiva-
tions of the slow traveller seeking to cycle are well documented: relaxation,
exercise and absorption of the local atmosphere. Nevertheless, cycling remains
far less popular than walking for many destinations, and one key factor is the
level of traffic which is a deterrent to would-be cycle explorers, although traf-
fic is also a deterrent to walkers as well. One solution would be to invest in
