Cycling+Questionnaire+Responses

=Responses=

Response 1: Yo

 * Note:** Yo is a student at York University.


 * Answers:**

1. It is my way of transportation. 2. Intermediate, maybe. 3. Everyday. 4. Nice feelings and some anger towards cars. 5. Downtown streets, uptown roads. 6. When it’s too bad I take public transport. 7. By myself, mostly. 8. Sometimes in critical mass, in DIY tune-ups. 9. No. 10. Toronto is very bad but because of it cyclist’s network might be strong. 11. Yes if people stop being lazy or steeling someone’s bike. 12. Maybe car laws - red right turn is dangerous for cyclists. 13. Maybe good? although I personally don’t really need them. 14. N/A

Response 2: 'the user'

 * Note:** This is someone from a private forum.


 * Answers:**

1. Fun, commute 2. Advanced 3. 1+hrs/day 4. Exhilaration, frustration, fear, aggression 5. Skate parks, downtown streets, mountain trails 6. Don't ride in rain 7. Both, usually alone though 8. Yes, occasionally go on group rides 9. IMBA, BBTC 10. Prevalence: cool, acceptance: great in seattle but can always improve, accomodation: good 11. Yes? Don't really understand this question 12. Even though I always wear one, helmets should be optional (helmet law for bikes where i live) 13. Wouldn't be interested in this 14. Yes, but there are a ton of messageboards for this already

Response 3: 'tvst'

 * Note:** This is someone from a private forum.


 * Answers:**

1. commute, convenience, affordability, fun. 2. intermediate 3. more of less 10 minutes at a time, about 10 times a week. 4. peace, trance, happy 5. streets, sidewalks, grassy areas between streets and sidewalks 6. i always bike, no matter the weather. including snow. the alternative would be to walk, and that takes too long to get anywhere. 7. by myself, although with others is fun. 8. no. 9. no. 10. here in new haven there are many cyclists, and we're pretty well accepted and accommodated. the same cannot be said about baltimore, although biking was just as fun there. 11. yes. 12. no. 13. i don't see the need for this. but if something like this existed i'd probably check it out to see if it would be helpful. but i'd most probably not use it (unless it ended up being life-changing). 14. no, i don't really do this kind of web 2.0 social stuff.

Response 4: 'Cowboy_X'

 * Note:** This is someone from a private forum.


 * Answers:**

1. I've moved to a city that isn't very bicycle-convenient, so now it's mostly fun/exercise. 2. Um, advanced? I guess? 3. Used to be 4x day, since the move, couple times a week. 4. joy! 5. urban 6. Rain doesn't matter much, but snow does. Subway. 7. alone 8. No, and probably not. 9. No. 10. In Portland, excellent. In New York, lousy. 11. Portland, yes. New York, no. 12. Better protection for cyclists for insane/stupid drivers. 13. A list of shops would be handy. I already track the weather through my iphone, don't care about events. Portland has a map of bicycle-friendly routes, it'd be nice to have something like "hopstop.com" for tracking routes via similar maps. 14. Not really. I'm not interested in interacting with other cyclists within the area, and I can't imagine what I would want to track in a "cycling profile."

Response 5: 'jixxy'

 * Note:** This is someone from a private forum.


 * Answers:**

1. transportation mostly. It's my only means aside from walking. 2. intermediate 3. A few times a week, usually whenever I have to go further than a 15 minute walk. 4. frustration, exhilaration. 5. downtown, residential and on paths 6. Dress for the weather. We're thinking of getting winter tires for the winter. It's bike or walk. 7. By myself or with my wife. 8. No, and probably not. 9. no. 10. It's poor. Most drivers don't respect cyclists and many cyclists don't obey the traffic laws. 11. Not really sure what this means. You can get $50 bikes or $5,000 ones. 12. helmet laws! The bloody city refuses to pass any. So I'd say there's a lot more that can be done to protect cyclists. Like bike lanes. 13. Bike routes might be nice, and repair shops if I were in a different city. There's only 1 in Yellowknife. I check the weather daily anyhow, and don't care about events. Though people feel the right to stick fliers on bikes here all the time 14. Not really. I'm not into cycling for the community or for recreation. It's my mode of transportation, that's all. I don't even know enough about bikes to care talking about them.

Response 6: Adam

 * Note:** A high school student


 * Answers:**

1. The reason why I cycle is because it's enviromental friendly, and it is a good form of exercise for the lower body. It's also fairly easy to manuever and handle and it's a conveniant form of transportation. 2. I would say that in terms of cycling, I am at an intermediate level. 3. I cycle about 2 of 3 times weekly. 4. I associate determination and motivation when cycling. 5. I prefer cycling through residential areas and small streets. I find it more peaceful and easier to get around. 6. I usually bike when it's warm and bright outside. If it is usually raining or snowing then I don't bike at all 7. It varies, sometimes I bike by myself when I have to pick something up, and sometimes I bike with my friends to hang out. 8. No, I do not participate in any community events or activites that associate cycling, however I would like to participate in a cycling marathon one day. 9. No i do not belong to any cycling groups or organizations. 10. N/A 11. I find that it cycling becomes somewhat hectic when cyclign through the city, in terms of cycling on both the roads and sidwalks always tryving to avoid pedestrians and oncoming traffic. 12. No i would not. 13. I think that that is actually a very good idea, as I see it as being very helpful and conveniant for myself and other cyclist. Other features that I think would prove useful to such a system would be bike lock locations. 14. No I would not.

Response 7: Jacquelyn

 * Note:** A student at York University


 * Answers:**

1. Exercise, fun, relaxing bike paths, and I can’t drive. 2. Intermediate. 3. One month out of the year.. 4. Calm, adrenaline, peace 5. bike paths, open parking lots 6. I don’t like biking in the rain, but I prefer overcast w/some sun, as opposed to hot sunny weather. If it rains, go for a walk somewhere indoors. 7. Either or. Prefer alone. 8. No, because I’d rather walk with people. Wouldn’t be interested unless it’s for a cause or it’s a race. 9. Nope. 10. Neutral? There’s a bit of ambiguity as to whether or not they should cycle on the sidewalk or on the road. Needs to be cleared up? 11. I suppose. 12. Don’t know enough about them to say for sure, but just need things to be more firm about whether or not sidewalks could be biked on. 13. That would be ideal for the hardcore cyclists. Perhaps add in updates on cycling events. 14. Facebook for cyclists?

Response 8: Michael

 * Note:** A student at York University


 * Answers:**

1. I cycle cause its healthy, and it keeps my cholesterol levels down 2. I believe I’m in-between the novice and intermediate level 3. 3 to 4 times a week, if weather permits 4. Feelings? Umm intense rush? Like I’m on a motorcycle 5. Park and street 6. If it rains, I wear a helmet 7. I do both 8. No and not interested 9. Nope. 10. In my way when I’m driving. 11. Yes, there are cycling sidelines… BUT people don’t use them. 12. No biking on streets, yeeesh your in my damn way, SIDE WALKS. 13. I’m an impatient guy, if they are as fast as a car, I’d think about it. Other than that… NO. 14. No, cause I’m not that involved, its just going to be a waste of space.

Response 8: 'mrred'

 * Note:** This is someone from a private forum.


 * Answers:**

1. Fun, Exercise, Transportation and Stress Relief. 2. Advanced? I dunno. 3. 175-200 Days per year. 4. Pleasure and pain. 5. City Streets, though I enjoy well paved rural roads the most. 6. Use it less. Alternatives are public transporation. 7. Alone. 8. Unsanctioned races. 9. Not really. 10. Sucks, badly. Drivers are ignorant and aggressive, pedestrians are clueless, and the police force refuses to acknowledge that negligent driving behaviors that lead to cyclist injury / death are chargeable offenses and rather are no-fault accidents. 11. So-so. NYC is doing a good job of paying lip-service to the cycling community by installing more bike lanes and racks to lock to, but until there is better enforcement from a traffic law standpoint, its all for naught. 12. Protected bike lanes rather than just painted lanes. Stiff fines for parking in the bike lanes that already exist, and in situations where a cyclist is killed or hit due to negligence of a driver, mandatory points, fines and jail time depending on the circumstance. 13. I'm indifferent about it, but mainly because there are already great sites and forums for nyc bicyclists. 14. Internet forum already exists for the people that I like to ride with in nyc. Its a great way to interact with other cyclists, keep up with current events, group rides, bar rides,etc ...

Response 8: Ed

 * Note:** A student at York University

1. I usually cycle because I find it a good form of exercising. 2. I would say I am a novice level 3. During the summer I would cycle around once a week 4. I would associate feelings of enjoyment with cycling 5. I usually cycle in many areas but usually downtown streets 6. I usually check the weather before hand and if its bad weather then I wouldn’t cycle 7. I usually cycle by myself 8. No I do not, I don’t have any interest in joining community events or any events. 9. No I don’t belong to any cycling groups 10. I I think that the laws for cycling is quite good in terms of accommodation, acceptance and prevalence 11. Yes I think cycling is made affordable and easy to maintain 12. No I would not. I think the current laws are pretty good 13. I would think the creation of this system would be a great idea. 14. No I would not, just seems weird to me

Response 9: Melissa

 * Note:** Melissa cycles downtown.


 * Answers:**

1. i cycle b/c of convenience ... i find it is the fastest way around the city. the other big reason i cycle is b/c it's fun & i am exercising but not counting it as such. 2. intermediate 3. i cycle everyday, everywhere i go ... to & fro to work, for all errands (except p/u drycleaning), & in the evenings if going to a movie w friends or out to dinner, etc., the only time i will not bike is in the evenings, if it's a formal affair or if it will be a late,late, late night & i probably will not physically be able to bike home. i also bike all year round, throughout the winter, the cold does not stop me ... if dressed properly you are okay ... the only time in the winter i don't bike is when the roads are bad & the cars shouldn't be on the rode either. i would say, 90% of the time i take my bike whereever i go. 4. joy, satisfaction, strength 5. i ususally cycle in & around the downtown core of the city & west end 6. i ride all year, the changes in weather do not affect if i cycle, the changes in weather affect my attire for biking. if i can't bike b/c of weather ... then i take ttc transit. 7. i cycle by myself 8. no recently, the last few years, since i've taken up biking ... i've made friends who are also cyclists ... a good friend owns a bike store, an ex-boyfriend worked @ a bike store & was a courier for a summer, i've become friends w the owner of the bike stores network ... and these people all are bike enthusists & riders. 9. no 10. i do not think the city accomodates cyclists ... canada/toronto ... are a car oriented nation/city. there are not enough bike lanes, why is there not a bike lane running across queen street ??? we need bike lanes running across this city. i've been to paris & it is a walking city ... what is great about toronto is it's many neighbourhoods ... the best way to see toronto & get a feel of this city of amazing neighbourhoods is on a bike. toronto is a biking city ... or should be! also, i think the street lights should have an advance for cyclists & pedistrians, crossing the street ... 11. yes 12. no only that, they could be stricter ... all should have proper lights front & back on bikes, all should wear helmuts, & all should wear proper shoes when riding a bike. i see people on qn street biking w not the proper attire & talking on cell phones ... & it's too dangerous ... if bikers are not falling the law they should get tickets too. 13. sounds good. i like the weather report idea, i like the bike related events idea too ... a way for cyclists to connect w others & i like the idea of info. on bike routes. 14. sure ? this would have to be explained more ...

Summary
Some of the reasons for biking from users include the fact that they're for health and exercise reasons, because it's environmentally friendly and the main form of transportation for many people. All the results indicate that the bikers consider themselves as being intermediate/advanced cyclists, with everyone either riding alone or with another person. Various people have expressed interest in some issue relating to questionable bike lanes and/or conflicts with drivers on the road. There were generally mixed responses in terms of bikers' views on the acceptance and accomodation of bikers within their area.

Evaluation
The general observation regarding these surveys include the fact that many users prefer using their bikes as a private, low-key activity, for modes of transit and associate cycling with positive feelings, such as "fun," "relaxation," and "exhileration." Many are frustrated with poor laws enforced, such as helmets for safety. In terms of creating a system to locate and interconnect with the cycling community, some are content with bikes as purely a means for transit, and therefore uninterested in expanding their cycling community online. However, others are more open to the idea of networking with groups, locations of bike-related equipment/storage, and finding out about relevant events geared toward their interests.

**Opportunities**
There is a certain audience that would be interested in having information that directly helps with their bike travel, and learning about their neighborhood along the way. Therefore, establishing a system that allows them to successfully fulfill their needs and help them to navigate items and places efficiently would be beneficial and interesting. It would combine with already available/existing technologies, such as the Internet and hand held-devices, and so the integration of this system would not be a radical transition into the cyclist's daily routine. The personalization of this system, along with the options of cross-referencing and interconnecting with other cyclists can formulate stronger, more informed communities, as well as better understandings of surrounding culture and history.