On the intention to cycle for work and school trips in a developing country

Abstract

Cycling, as a mode of transport has immense health benefits. However, as pertains in other developing countries, cycling is not a preferred transport mode in urban Ghana, a development that is attributable to the lack of cycling infrastructure, safety and cultural perceptions. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study explored the intention to cycle for work and school trips (i.e., commuter cycling) in Winneba among 260�staff and students of the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana by fitting structural equation models. The results revealed low bicycle ownership and use among the respondents occasioned by some barriers. Additionally, it was found that the extent to which the respondents feel able and confident to cycle for work and school trips (i.e., their perceived behavioural control) was the most important predictor of their intention to cycle for work and school trips. Study respondents' attitudes toward cycling and subjective norms (i.e., social pressures to cycle) did not significantly influence the intention to cycle for work and school trips. Consequently, the study proffered relevant measures to promote commuter cycling on university campuses and by extension in the wider society. The information, practices and views in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). � 2022 The Authors. Geo: Geography and Environment published by the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.