Ugo Nogueira Castañon

This study applies a multicriteria decision analysis to explore how experts from different backgrounds assess traditional and emerging criteria for urban cycling. A hierarchical model with 7 main criteria and 31 subcriteria was evaluated by 30 specialists from academic, technical, and user-focused groups. Using pairwise comparisons and aggregated judgments, this study reveals points of agreement and divergence among expert priorities. Safety and infrastructure were rated as the most important factors. In contrast, contextual and technological aspects, such as Multimodality, Environmental Quality, Shared Systems, and Digital Solutions, received moderate to lower weights, with differences linked to expert profiles. These results highlight how different disciplinary perspectives influence the understanding of bikeability-related factors. Conceptually, the findings support a broader view of cycling conditions that incorporates both established and emerging criteria. Methodologically, this study demonstrates the value of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a participatory and transparent tool to integrate diverse stakeholder opinions into a structured evaluation model. This approach can support cycling mobility planning and policymaking. Future applications may include case studies in specific cities, combining expert-based priorities with local spatial data, as well as longitudinal research to track changes in cycling conditions over time.

In urban areas, bicycles promote sustainable, efficient, and healthy mobility while reducing carbon emissions. Bicycle trips, especially those replacing car journeys, help reduce traffic congestion and lower emissions, contributing to decarbonising the transport sector. This study introduces a method for evaluating the bikeability of urban road networks through a multi-criteria analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Five key criteria are considered: accessibility, infrastructure, road features, environmental surroundings, and safety factors. A case study in a Portuguese city revealed that over 95% of the urban network has a low to moderate bikeability index (0.3–0.5), with no segments exceeding 0.7, indicating a need for significant infrastructure improvements. The analysis revealed that safety strongly influences bikeability, while road features and the surrounding environment also show positive associations. In contrast, infrastructure and accessibility displayed weaker correlations due to limited infrastructure and integration with public transport. Despite the differences, all criteria can identify distinct bikeability levels. The findings underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive cycling infrastructure, including cycle paths and improved bicycle parking. Additionally, the study highlights the need for a more robust model with stakeholder participation in future evaluations. This adaptable methodology provides a robust tool for assessing and enhancing urban bikeability, contributing to more sustainable and cyclist-friendly cities.

Recent strategies to improve the performance of the cycling mode of transport are based on infrastructural, behavioral, and multimodal measures, which are related to the concept of bikeability. A literature review on “bikeability indexes” was conducted focusing on indicators, using a four-step systematic process. Fourteen studies were included for the final analysis and provided 138 indicators, 17 criteria, and four domains. The exploratory analysis evidenced limited application of indicators related to pollution, scarce use of indicators related to bicycle sharing systems (BSS), absence of indicators related to electric bicycles, lack of indicators related to digital solutions, and the need of a calibration and validation process for bikeability indexes. Considering the changes and opportunities created by emerging innovations (namely BSS and electric bicycles) and the health trade-off related to pollution reduction, this research reveals that the current bikeability indexes do not fully address the real potential of a cycle network, limiting its use as a comprehensive tool for the promotion of sustainable mobility.

Seeking the reutilization of waste from agriculture and urban sources, studies have presented an option in the inclusion of such waste into new low-cost materials that are environmentally viable. One possibility is the reutilization of sugarcane bagasse ashes (SBA), the final waste in the productive process of the Brazilian alcohol sector. In addition to the behavior of materials with the use of SBA as additions in cement-based materials under normal environmental conditions, the study of the behavior of these materials when exposed to harsh environments is required. Thus, this project evaluated the properties, the compression strength and the bulk density of cement composites with partial replacement of cement by SBA without prior treatment. Also, it analyzed the weight loss and compressive strength of the composites subjected to environments with the presence of chloride ions. A factorial design was adopted to verify the influence of the addition of SBA (5wt%, 10wt% and 15wt%) and water/cement ratio (0.45 and 0.55) in the studied properties. The interaction between the factors was significant. The values obtained from the compressive strength of the manufactured composites showed that it is possible to replace up to 15wt% of cement for in natura SBA. After a chemical attack with an acid solution of HCl 30%, it could be observed that all materials had a lower compressive strength, which can be explained by the high weight loss suffered by all composites. Based on the results of compressive resistance, density and weight loss after the attack, it was observed that the mechanical behavior of the composites in relation to the referential conditions were similar. This study showed that it is feasible, in accordance to the studied properties, to use these composites in promoting the partial replacement of cement by this type of waste and its reutilization.

The problems related to the means of transport in urban Brazilians have been getting worse over the years. The increase of the fleet, to the detriment of the adequacy and extent of the road network of cities contributes to this fact. This paper presents a profile of users of cycling in the city of Juiz de Fora, and thus contributes to the study of sustainable urban mobility, providing researchers with information that can guide the search for the encouragement of the use of means of transport to meet environmental needs urban centers that contributes to social equity.