Examining the Factors Impeding Cycling Utilisation among the Students of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

It has been established globally that one of the greatest challenges facing the human population currently is climate change, arising from the emission of greenhouse gases initiated mainly by burning fossil fuels used by motorised transportation modes. However, one of the approaches to mitigate the challenges is the adoption of cycling as a viable and sustainable mode of mobility. Recognizing its significance and widespread use in high-income countries and their university campuses, this study examined the barriers to its adoption among undergraduate students at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, Nigeria. To determine the sample size for the research, the study relied on the student's information record of the undergraduate students available on the FUTA website which is currently put at seven thousand, five hundred and fifty (17,550) from which a proportionate sample size of 2% was selected using purposive and random sampling techniques. The study used a structured questionnaire to elicit data needed for the study from the three hundred and fifty-one samples (representing 2% of the research population) of the undergraduate students at FUTA. Purposive sampling ensured that only FUTA undergraduates were included, while random sampling gave each student an equal chance of selection. The collected data were analysed and presented using descriptive statistics in frequency and percentages. The Weighted Mean was also used to identify the predominant factors affecting cycling utilisation at FUTA. The results revealed that the absence of a cycling lane/infrastructure/ Lack of bicycle training (5.00), inadequate road signs (4.35), inadequate road safety for cyclist and fear of involving in accident/availability of campus shuttle (4.20) rank first, second and third respectively as the most significant barriers to cycling among undergraduate students of FUTA. Given these findings, cycling lanes must be integrated into FUTA's road network and development plan. Additionally, safety measures for cyclists and other road users on campus should be implemented.