A proposal method for creating cycle way network in sustainable transportation: The case of Denizli

In recent years, as the effects of global warming and climate change have been felt widely and rapidly all over the world, it has been aimed to develop the bicycle infrastructure and to increase the applications to encourage the use of bicycles, depending on the frequent agenda of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While developed countries develop alternative transportation systems in addition to the widespread use of bicycles in transportation, they also demand developing countries to contribute to this. Within the scope of this study, on the basis of dissemination of bicycle transportation, which is seen as a sustainable transportation alternative, it is aimed to propose a method that allows multi-dimensional evaluation for the creation of a bicycle path network in the city center of Denizli. For this purpose, in the area determined specifically for Merkezefendi and Pamukkale districts, on the basis of natural, cultural and socio-economic structure data for the area, holistic planning is obtained by taking the opinions of academics, public institution officials, private sector employees, individuals who work voluntarily in bicycle-related non-governmental organizations and the public. In the study, the criteria affecting the use of cycling in Denizli were determined by using the data obtained from the Delphi technique with the expert group consisting of different professional disciplines and the user surveys made with 863 people. As a result of the examination of these criteria, which allows to evaluate the city from different perspectives, and the "Bicycle Routes Regulation" announced in the Official Gazette numbered 30976 and dated 12 December 2019, the suitability of the roads in Denizli city center for bicycle use, using the weighted evaluation technique, which is one of the multi-criteria decision-making methods. 22.32% (94.65 km) of 423.87 km of roads evaluated within the boundaries of the study area are not suitable for cycling, 57.30% (242.89 km) are less suitable, 15.48% are concluded as (65.63 km) suitable and 1.35% (5.74 km) very suitable. Considering the suitability of the roads, a proposal for a bicycle path network has been developed. It has been taken into account that the proposed bicycle path network created in the city center is holistic and safe. In this context, it has been proposed to prioritize 112.29 km of roads in the city center in terms of bicycle use. As a result, examining and evaluating the studies for the development of bicycle transportation in Denizli city center, questioning the public's approach to bicycle use, determining the problems faced by bicycle users, determining the criteria affecting bicycle use in Denizli in line with the opinions of bicycle users and experts, and determining the suitability of existing roads for bicycle use within the framework of these criteria. With the presentation of the proposal, some suggestions have been put forward with the landscape planning approach for the development of the bicycle path network, the opinions and suggestions of bicycle users in the city, and the encouragement and development of bicycle use as a result of observation, examination and research.