Optimal urban planning through the best–worst method: bicycle lanes in Palermo, Sicily

Since 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, planners and designers have proposed numerous changes for urban spaces and mobility concepts to comply with governments’ anti-contamination restrictions. Several European cities have implemented strategies for developing cycling, favouring the design of temporary (pop-up) or permanent cycle lanes and state incentives to purchase bicycles and electric micro-mobility vehicles. However, existing research suggests that design optimisation must pursue specific geometric, functional and safety standards for cyclists and space sharers (pedestrians/cars). It is thus necessary to analyse the perceptions of citizens and commuters for optimisation of the planning and design of these infrastructures. A multi-criteria evaluation was used to determine optimal infrastructure schemes (temporary and permanent) for the metropolis of Palermo in Sicily, Italy. First, three groups of cyclists (citizens, technicians and commuters) were selected. Then, applying the best–worst method, a series of design alternatives were evaluated by the target groups. The results showed a correlation between different types of users in terms of those who live in the city compared with commuters in the city for the first time. The results of this work lay the foundation for improved planning and design strategies in sustainable urban mobility plans and the Italian Biciplan guidelines.