Cyclist´s perception of service quality as a tool for bike path projects evaluation

Bicycle projects in Brazil tend to follow technical recommendations, but most devoid inqueries to the cyclists, on perceptions about their needs. The study aimed to discuss the importance of perception on service quality by cyclists, as a tool for bicycle path projects evaluation; so that they have the functionality and safety expected by users. The method is empirical, with interviews to the cyclists, to identify their profiles and quality of service factors, followed by analysis of results, with characterization of cyclists, the main factors of service quality and comparison to technical characteristics of projects in relation to standards. The interviews results were compared with technical standards recommendations to Brazil projects. Among the results obtained in a case study, the aspects of signaling, pavement conservation status and the need for vehicular velocity reducers, as inhibitors of bike paths use, were evidenced; and for reasons that can be solved with the improvement or adjustments of road projects and revision of technical standards.