What does maintenance of infrastructure mean for pedestrians and cyclists – A knowledge summary

This report summarises knowledge concerning the impact of the maintenance of bicycle and pedestrian
infrastructure. The aim of the literature review was to compile existing knowledge on operation and
maintenance of the transport infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, the highlight how operation and
maintenance affect pedestrians and cyclists, in terms of accessibility, safety and security. The reviewed
literature revealed a number of issues of relevance concerning the importance of maintenance of
infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists. There are very few studies on vulnerable road users’ ability
to travel with the same transport quality as the other road users, especially in rural areas and in smaller
cities. Furthermore, a change in attitude in decision makers and planners is needed to give walking and
cycling a higher status. Moreover, studies analysed in this report have shown that the pedestrian
infrastructure is not perceived to be as well developed as the one for motorised modes of transport.
Moreover, it was found that walking and bicycling has to be treated as own and separate modes of
transport and that there seems to be a lack of understanding of the user perspective of pedestrians and
cyclists when it comes to maintenance.