Effectiveness of Cycling Transport Infrastructure Investment in Regional Development. Region Orlicko-Třebovsko Case Study.

This paper evaluates the benefits of investments in cycling infrastructure for regional development. The case study deals with socio-economic impacts of cycling transport infrastructure built for the Orlicko-Třebovsko region. The main thesis does not assume profitability of such investments in socio-economic realm of the region. Overall societal benefit has been assessed through the cost-benefit analysis. Individual elements of the analysis are focused on short-term, long-term, direct and indirect effects for the development of the region. The benefits are to be found in connection with implementation, management and operation of the project as well as transport sector, services sector and recreation. Specific positive effects take mainly the form of business sales, employment and savings for the population. The analysis has taken note of certain positive effect that is nevertheless economically inadequate to the amount of initial investment. Therefore in this case cycling transport infrastructure proved to be ineffective tool of regional development