The examination of data from several fields shows that weather has a direct influence on the pace of cycling. Weather has an impact on both discretionary travel and commuters. Yet, the governments of several countries, such as Denmark, have supported increased cycling in order to lower the high costs associated with alternative commuters (Nankervis 417). The surveyor recorded the cyclists' trip distances and the time it took them to accomplish numerous travels in varied weather conditions. The surveyor specifically targeted students from the University of Melbourne (MU), the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), and the Victoria Institute of Technology (VUT) (Nankervis 420). The data collected at Melbourne indicates that the month with highest level of rainfall recorded relatively low number of trips. Furthermore, the numbers of cyclists were few compared to other period of the year which recorded low level of rain. For instance, At Melbourne, the month of January, February and December experienced high level rainfall as well as low number of cyclists (Nankervis 422). Furthermore, the data collected from the region suggests that the precipitation element such as snow and ice reduces riding by more than 60%. Figure 1 represents the summery of the data from University of Melbourne (MU), Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and Victoria Institute of Technology (VUT) (Nankervis 424).
Figure 1: Table representing the rate of cycling at different weather conditions
Distance
Minutes
Temperature (°C)
Rainfall (mm)
0-5
0-5
12
1500
6-10
5-10
13
900
10-15
11-15
20
700
16-20
16-20
25
920
Over 20
Over 20
23
750
The test of correlation applied on the data indicates the variation in distance covered and time taken at different weather conditions. Furthermore, the number of the riders significantly improves at different institutions (Nankervis 422). The results from the test show that there is relatively clear relationship between weather conditions and the rate of cycling. For instance, the cyclists covered the greatest distance at average temperature and low rainfall. Furthermore, the surveyor established that the days which experienced extreme temperatures and high rainfall were characterized by less cycle commuting. The investigator deployed students in the research test because they are healthy and relatively young, thus, capable of withstanding weather conditions (Nankervis 424). Moreover, they have minimal access to alternative means of transport such motorized vehicles.
In the summer, most of the months experienced an average temperature of 20°C and about 900mm of rainfall. In figure 1, the number of cyclists increased from 10 to over 20 students. Although the data reported were less precise, they were consistent with the information which Nankervis (1999) noted in his argument, thus, describing the riders number pattern (Nankervis 430). Furthermore, the researcher established that elements such as wind have direct correlation with the riding patterns. The researcher based the rationale for decisions on the impacts of weather elements to commuting pattern and riders’ self-assessment of the conditions. However, most respondents argued that rainfall has greater influential impacts than temperature.
From the data collected, the surveyor established that the student rate of cycling increased in the second semester. Notably, the investigator recorded greater number of riders in summer than in winter. However, the statistical analysis on the data indicates that weather changes slightly influences cycling overall pattern (Nankervis 431). Furthermore, the researcher noted that the number of the cyclists decline towards winter and significantly improved at the beginning of the summer.
Work Cited
Nankervis, Max. "The effect of weather and climate on bicycle commuting." Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice 33.6 (1999): 417-431.
