Identification of key measures to promote and enhance cycling for visiting National Parks: A case study of Peak District National Park, England

Abstract

Increasing pressure of cars towards National Parks is alarming for both nature and tourists. This research identifies the potential measures that can promote and enhance cycling within and around National Parks. The methodological approach includes 1) a literature review to identify measures sucessfuly implemented in the past in different case studies, 2) development of a questionnaire based on these measures, for inquiry of experts involved in the planning process of the case study, Peak District National Park (PDNP), England and 3) use of Kendall's W coefficient of concordance to determine the consensus among experts, about the rank and order of these potentional measures. The experts are most in favor of a flexible entry fee based on the transport mode of the visitor, a mobility app as a route planner, and infrastructural development. The Kendall's W shows a varying agreement among experts from moderate to strong for different categories of measures. Management implications • The research identifies the need to consider cycling as an essential mode of mobility from the local and visitors' perspective. Cycling is an important, healthy activity that helps people to reach various destinations. • The research highlights important measures that can help managers to convince visitors to use a bicycle instead of another mode. • The research findings provide guidance and a framework to promote and enhance the concept of cycling for managers involved in the planning/policy-making of visitors' mobility within and around a national park. • Managers should divert their focus towards the promotion of active mobility. They should understand that promoting cycling tourism will help them to overcome the dominance by cars. • The research indicates practical steps in order to guide managers in the implementation of the proposed measures.