Assessing the impact of urban interventions on cyclists’ behavioural change: The case of the Regent’s Canal towpath in London

Abstract

London’s canals serve as blue corridors connecting people, creating inclusive recreation spaces, and improving health and well-being. The Regent’s Canal towpath, located in Islington and owned by the Canal and River Trust (CRT), is one of the busiest towpaths in the UK, offering East London residents a quick route into the city. Nevertheless, cyclists and pedestrians who regularly use the towpath for commuting have expressed concerns over its capacity to support rush hour traffic. This study utilises the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behaviour change (COM-B) model to assess the impact of urban interventions in reducing conflict on the towpath and increasing uptake of the newly developed St. Peter’s People-Friendly Streets (PFS), a form of Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) effort by the local council. Employing a mixed methods approach, this paper triangulated data collected through online surveys, AI traffic monitoring sensors, and semi-structured interviews to create a concrete picture of cyclists’ behaviour change. Based on the study, we obtained findings that are twofold: (1) the interventions improved cyclists’ awareness of and physical access to the alternative route, although route information signage at the intervention site could have further optimised physical access; (2) cyclists were motivated to switch to the alternative route due to its potential to reduce towpath conflict, shorten commuting time, and offer better cycle infrastructure. However, safety considerations, routine towpath use, and the desire to maintain the natural connection provided by the towpath acted as barriers. Further, we found that combining ’hard’ and ’soft’ strategies is essential in driving behavioural change, as interventions targeted at the built environment should be balanced with communication strategies to improve awareness of new transport programmes and policies. Using a real-world case study, this paper offers actionable guidance for decision-makers to design and implement interventions that shift transport behaviours effectively.