How do pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair-users experience operation and maintenance. Group interviews with different user groups in Kristiansand, Oslo, Stavanger, and Trondheim

To achieve objectives of making people walk and cycle more, we need knowledge on how pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair-users experience operation and maintenance of walking and cycling infrastructure, and how this affects travel behavior. As part of the research and development project BEVEGELSE of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration we conducted group interviews in Kristiansand, Oslo, Stavanger, Trondheim. We find that operations and maintenance can affect choice of traveling, mode choice, as well as accessibility. Local climate and geographical context affect the experience of and need for operation and maintenance. Participants are generally satisfied with winter operations, but varying conditions create unpredictability and insecurity. Winter conditions particularly affect the accessibility and choice of traveling among seniors and wheelchair users. During summer, holes and bumps in the tarmac are a main source for problems, especially for seniors and wheelchair users. Several user groups are underrepresented in these and previous studies. Moving forth, we recommend a particular focus on these groups.