电动载货自行车在新兴自行车网络中的位置：一项质性研究

摘要

在许多低骑行率的地区，骑行在交通规划实践中长期被边缘化，而在日常交通互动中，骑行者也往往不被视为具有正当地位的道路使用者。电助力骑行有助于降低在此类不利条件下骑行的体力与心理负担，使骑行者在与机动车混行时能够更快加速并维持更高车速。关于私人电动载货骑行的新近证据表明，电动载货自行车还可能提升骑行者在道路上的存在感与可见度。然而，针对载货骑行与电动载货骑行的研究同时显示，这类车辆非典型的尺寸与外廓，会限制其对有物理隔离的自行车网络的可达性与舒适度。本研究延续上述早期研究的思路，以质性方法考察爱尔兰岛上的私人电动载货自行车车主如何体验其所在地方与区域的自行车网络。研究揭示了自行车网络的规划、养护与设计实践对电动载货骑行所产生的独特影响。研究发现：其一，由于电动载货自行车普遍用于搭载儿童，其使用者可能格外受益于有物理隔离的自行车网络；其二，相较于常规骑行者，电动载货骑行者对网络的路面质量与净空条件更为敏感；其三，若自行车网络在设计时未考虑非典型车辆与非典型骑行者，电动载货骑行者可能被实质性地排除在受保护的骑行网络之外。据此，本研究认为，包容性的自行车网络设计实践与稳健的养护机制，是使电动载货骑行得以作为一种富有活力的骑行变体持续成长的关键。

Abstract

In many low-cycling contexts, cycling is routinely marginalised in transport planning practice while, in everyday traffic interactions, cyclists are frequently disregarded as legitimate road users. E-cycling can help to reduce the physical and psychological demands of cycling in such unfavourable conditions, enabling riders to accelerate faster and sustain higher speeds when on the road with motor traffic. Emerging evidence on private e-cargo cycling suggests that e-cargo bikes (ECBs) might additionally improve presence and visibility on the road. However, studies on both cargo and e-cargo cycling indicate that the atypical size and dimensions of these cycles can limit the accessibility and comfort of protected cycle networks. Following the lead of this early (e-)cargo bike research, in this qualitative study, we explored how private ECB owners on the island of Ireland experienced their local and regional cycling networks. Our study reveals the unique effects of cycle network planning, maintenance, and design practices on e-cargo cycling in this context. In particular, we found that e-cargo cyclists (i) may especially benefit from protected cycle networks due to the common use of ECBs for carrying children, (ii) may be more sensitive than conventional cyclists to the surface quality and clearance of cycle networks, and (iii) may be effectively excluded from protected cycle networks that are designed without consideration for atypical cycles and cyclists. On these grounds, our study suggests that inclusive cycle network design practice and robust maintenance regimes are paramount to enable e-cargo cycling to grow as a dynamic variant of cycling.