Estudo e identificação das necessidades e dos equipamentos de suporte à deslocação em percursos de bicicleta na cidade do Porto

Abstract

The search for alternative means to motor vehicles has become a key resource in ensuring quality urban mobility in large urban centers. Bycicle is among these modes of travel, an economic and practical option to move around in the city context. Cyclists are increasingly present in the scene of the main European cities and it is essential that the municipality of Porto evolve in the same direction. To do this, the cycling network planning must be based in real information and in other developed cities experiences to make appropriate politic decisions. It is presented in this dissertation the study case of the cycle routes of Granja, Boavista, aiming the study and identification of the necessities and the equipment of support to travel in bicycle routes in the city of Porto. A survey of satisfaction among cyclists and non-cyclists was jointly carried out to prepare a diagnosis of the current situation of the municipality in terms of the availability of cycling infrastructure. In addition, an interview was conducted with Ricardo Cruz, a resident cyclist in Porto and a managing member of the Association for Urban Mobility by Bicycle (MUBi). The study started with the state of the art related to cycle networks and its technical principles. Afterwards, it was carried out the description of both basic and complementary support elements of a cycle path. Following this, it was carried through the characterization and the diagnosis of the already existing cycle lanes in the city of Porto. Eventually the study case was released, characterizing the courses, and making a proposal of elements to support the implementation and its respective costs estimation. It was concluded that it is essential to make the cycles an attractive daily commuting solution. To this end, it is necessary to monitor the use of the cycles to decide the investment in improvements. It is essential that the bicycle network is interconnected and that it provides support elements that facilitates cycling. As important as measures aimed at the infrastructure are disseminating capaigns and offering information to the potential users, besides the regular maintenance of the network.