Identifying clusters of cycling commuters and travel patterns: The case of Quelimane, Mozambique

Abstract

Limited attention has been paid to the analysis of cycling in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, understanding cycling and cycling patterns in SSA is crucial for implementing a more effective cycling-oriented policy. Using the city of Quelimane, Mozambique, as a case study, this paper aims to understand cycling mobility in SSA cities by identifying clusters of cycling commuters and mapping their trip patterns. A survey was conducted to explore the socio-demographic aspects of the population and commuter attitudes toward cycling. The underlying factors structuring the population sample were determined by means of factor analysis, and a clustering process was applied. Cyclists’ travel patterns were then recreated to assess the influence of road quality on cycling. The results identified three clusters of cycling commuters: informal workers with children, short-distance students, and occasional cyclists. The clusters were based on household composition, employment status and cycling frequency to work/school. It was found that over 40% of cycling trips took place within the city periphery and about 10% between the city periphery and suburban areas. Most people cycle to carry products to sell in local markets and as a bicycle-taxi. The study findings provided a clear understanding of commuter cyclists, and can serve as an empirical basis for developing more targeted policies to encourage cycling.

Keywords:

• Bicycle
• cluster
• commuting
• cycling-use variables
• Quelimane city
• socio-demographic variables

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the TRANSyT-UPM, the staff of the Quelimane city council and the Universidade Pedagogica Delegação de Quelimane. The authors would finally like to thank Dr. Alphonse Nkurunziza from the University of Rwanda for his comments and the three anonymous reviewers of this paper for their valuable feedback.

Additional information

Funding

This research is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Higher and Technical Vocational Education of the Republic of Mozambique.