Strategic evaluation of cycling infrastructure in emerging contexts : a case study of high-capacity corridors in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Strnad Trček, Irena (author), Rijavec, Robert (author)

This paper presents a cost–benefit analysis (CBA) of proposed high-capacity cycling corridors in the wider Ljubljana area, representing the first such evaluation in Slovenia, where comparable infrastructure has not yet been implemented. The low baseline cycling demand presents methodological challenges for accurately forecasting user response. To address this, a discrete mode choice model calibrated with regional data was applied to estimate modal shifts from private car and public transport to cycling, based primarily on anticipated travel time savings. Long-term projections incorporate behavioral responses to improved infrastructure, such as enhanced comfort, continuity, and perceived safety. The analysis accounts for capital investment, land acquisition, maintenance, and renewal costs, while quantifying external benefits including public health improvements, reduced fuel consumption, lower emissions, and travel time savings. Conservative assumptions were applied throughout, and a detailed sensitivity analysis was conducted to test the robustness of results under alternative cost and uptake scenarios. Findings indicate that the investment shows positive economic performance under the baseline and in most tested scenarios, with greater sensitivity to demand-side parameters than to cost variations. These results highlight the importance of integrating infrastructure planning with complementary policy measures to stimulate early adoption and maximize societal benefits. The study proposes a framework that could be transferable for the appraisal of transformative cycling infrastructure and contributes to the growing body of evidence on active mobility in emerging markets, particularly within Central and Eastern Europe.

• Language: English
• Keywords: cost-benefit analysis, cycling infrastructure, sustainable mobility, transport planning
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FGG - Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 19 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 18, art. 67
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-185727
• UDC: 656.1:336.532.1(497.4)
• ISSN on article: 1866-8887
• DOI: 10.1186/s12544-026-00833-1
• COBISS.SI-ID: 288145411
• Publication date in RUL: 19.08.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: European transport research review
• Shortened title: Eur. transp. res. rev.
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 1866-8887
• COBISS.SI-ID: 520457241

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: kolesarska infrastruktura, hitre kolesarske povezave, analiza stroškov in koristi, izbira prometnega sredstva, aktivna mobilnost

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: V5-2302
• Name: Izdelava modela kolesarskih povezav po namenu uporabe