Spatial dynamics of biodiversity and cycling behaviour: A geographical analysis using crowdsourced data from Strava metro

Abstract

Active travel infrastructure is widely acknowledged for promoting healthy behaviours in cities, yet participation is sparse. Being exposed to biodiversity during active travel may facilitate physical activity but has yet to be explored within the context of urban active travel networks. Existing research lacks spatial granularity, meaning the effect of local benefits of biodiversity on active travel networks is unknown. By analysing over 6 million cycling activities, we investigate the relationship between biodiversity and cycling in Newcastle Upon Tyne, a city in the Northeast of the United Kingdom at the street level. We use spatial error models adjusting for covariates representing street features and environmental characteristics to understand the associations between species richness with cycling for recreation and commuting. Results show that higher levels of bird diversity, are positively associated with recreational and commuting cycling behaviours, while higher levels of mammal diversity are negatively associated with recreational and commuting behaviours. This may reflect the beneficial ecosystem services afforded by bird species, while also acknowledging the impact of human-wildlife conflict in active travel networks. These findings indicate that the relationship between biodiversity and cycling may require further investigation. While access to green space supports public health, biodiversity conservation and cycling infrastructure should be aligned to ensure mutually supportive outcomes for urban sustainability.