Cycling on the extensive and intensive margin: The role of paths and prices
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Date
2016
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Abstract
Drawing on a panel of German survey data spanning 1997-2013, this paper
identifies the correlates of non-recreational bicycling, focusing specifically on the roles
of bicycle paths and fuel prices. Our approach conceptualizes ridership as a two stage
decision process comprising the discrete choice of whether to use the bike (i.e. the intensive
margin) and the continuous choice of how far to ride (i.e. the extensive margin).
To the extent that these two choices are related and, moreover, potentially influenced by
factors unobservable to the researcher, we explore alternative estimators using two-stage
censored regression techniques to assess whether the results are subject to biases from
sample selectivity. A key finding is that while higher fuel costs are associated with an
increased probability of undertaking non-recreational bike trips, this effect is predicated
on residence in an urbanized region. We also find evidence for a positive association with
the extent of bike paths, both in increasing the probability of non-recreational bike travel
as well as the distance traveled.
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Keywords
bicycle paths, non-recreational cycling, fuel prices