Synergistic role of audio-visual perceptions in promoting bikeshare for active travel

Abstract

This study examines factors beyond macroscale built environments (BE) influencing cycling behavior, integrating both microscale visual and auditory perceptions, especially soundscapes, while their impacts on cycling have not been explicitly investigated. Leveraging massive bikeshare trip data in Shenzhen, China, this study employs spatial explainable machine learning to uncover the associations among these three dimensions and cycling behavior using a multi-scale analytical framework. The results show that: (1) Macroscale BE remains dominant, while micro-scale soundscapes outweigh visual perceptions in explaining cycling usage. (2) Both perceived streetscape and soundscape indicators exhibit significant nonlinear effects on cycling behavior. (3) Synergistic interactions between visual streetscape and soundscape are observed, where maintaining audio-visual consistency (e.g., high perceived safety with high natural sounds perception) can positively affect cycling more substantially. Our findings encourage planners to prioritize strategic micro-level modifications targeting perceived street visual and auditory aspects over conventional macroscale BE interventions as cost-effective alternatives.