Assessment of cycling infrastructure and bikeability in Tashkent city

Abstract

This study assesses cycling infrastructure and bikeability on selected streets in Tashkent City. The research combines field observation, a GIS-based inventory of cycling facilities, an online questionnaire with 309 respondents, and an equal-weight Bikeability Index based on comfort, safety, attractiveness, and directness and continuity. The questionnaire results show that bicycle-lane availability received the weakest evaluation: 38.8% of respondents rated it unsatisfactory or poor, whereas 31.4% rated it good or excellent. Negative assessments also accounted for 36.5% for lane width, 34.3% for gradient, and 32.6% for pavement condition. The corresponding weighted mean scores ranged from 2.77 to 2.94 on a five-point scale, indicating generally moderate to below-neutral perceptions. The street-level assessment identified T. Shevchenko, A. Navoi, and Shahrisabz streets as the comparatively stronger cycling corridors, while Zarafshon, Buyuk Turon, and Amir Temur streets performed less favorably because of discontinuous bicycle lanes, insufficient bicycle parking, and missing infrastructure on some sections. The findings suggest that the quality and continuity of cycling facilities are important determinants of perceived bikeability. Priority measures should therefore include closing network gaps, improving intersection safety, maintaining pavement quality, and providing secure bicycle parking. Because the study is based mainly on cross-sectional observations and user perceptions, the findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal effects on observed cycling volumes.