مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - The Problems Faced by Individuals Riding Bicycle in Ankara and the Solution Offers

Abstract :

It is important that the bicycle use spread in crowded cities. Thus it will be a guiding advice for the local and central governments, to determine the various obstacles in front of the bicycle use in urban life. The aim of this study is to reveal the problems faced by individuals using bicycles in Ankara and to offer solutions to eliminate these problems. The case study method, one of the qualitative research designs, was employed in this study. Based on the purposive sampling method, the sample of the study consisted of 12 cyclists (3 females and 9 males) founding the cycling communities in Ankara. The fact that the number of female cyclists is less than male cyclists in Turkey (Ardahan Mert 2014), is reflected in the sample group. Data were collected through individual interviews carried out in accordance with the qualitative research methods. Participants determined the lack of physical infrastructure, problems in urban traffic, socio-cultural issues and legal issues as main problems; and offered carrying out physical infrastructure for bicycle transportation, local governments’ taking active roles in forming bicycle culture, awareness activities being done with the cooperation of institutions and organizations and bringing the laws to functional status, as their solutions.