Potential for Bike-share in Upper Hill Area, Nairobi, Kenya
View/ Open
Date
2020Author
Muchibwa, Priscilla N
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Commuters using motorized transport in Nairobi walk long distances to connect to their destinations from
public transit stops which makes them lose a lot of valuable time and is uncomfortable. The use of bike
share can improve access but there is a gap in understanding willingness to use the bicycles by commuters
in Upper Hill. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence the adoption and hence
potential of bike share in Nairobi’s Upper Hill, with specific objectives being to examine the characteristics
of potential bike share users in Nairobi’s Upper Hill area, to determine whether the time taken to travel
from drop-off to destination influences use of bike share and to discuss the perceptions that influence the
use of bicycles.
The study sought to test the null hypotheses, ‘there is no significant difference between willingness to use
bike share and time taken to travel from drop-off to destination; and ‘there is no significant difference
between willingness to use bicycles and the perceptions. Primary data was obtained through questionnaire
surveys. Random sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. A total of 126 commuters
participated in the study. Data was analysed and presented in the form of percentages, charts and tables.
The study used the Chi-square (χ2) test as a quantitative measuring technique to test the hypotheses. The
study found that the potential of bike share is influenced a number of factors that comprise the time
commuters take to travel from drop-off to their destination. Commuters were found to be more willing to
ride bicycles for shorter journeys that take them 30 minutes or less. Matatus were found to be the mode of
transport used by most commuters in the study area. The study also found that potential of bike share is
influenced by the perceptions that commuters have on the use of bicycles with the majority being
comfortable to be seen riding a bicycle. The availability of walking and cycling lanes was also found to
influences the potential of bike share. Lack of walking and cycling lanes discourages both pedestrian and
cyclist from using bicycles.
The study recommended that planning of a bike share system in a city should target connecting shorter
journeys as people are more willing to ride bicycles for shorter journeys, conducting awareness campaigns
to improve perceptions on cycling amongst residents and to integrate bike share with public transport to
reach more potential users. The study also recommended policy-makers to invest in the provision of
networks of good quality segregated pedestrian and cycling lanes in the city and embark on education,
information and communication on precautions when sharing the road with cyclists and other nonmotorised
transport users. The study also recommended future research on the potential for bike share on a
city-wide scale and potential of bike share targeting a specific group such as people going to work or
university students.
Publisher
university of Nairobi
Subject
Potential for Bike-shareRights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
- Faculty of Arts [606]
The following license files are associated with this item: