Visual Environment Factors Influencing Staying Behavior in Cycling on Countryside Greenways: A Case Study of Qingshan Lake Greenway in Hangzhou

Objective The countryside greenway is an organic extension of the city"s green slow-moving transportation system to the suburban hinterland, meeting urban residents" needs for close contact with nature and fostering opportunities for the development of an urban-rural combined belt. Cycling, as a slow-moving activity combining outdoor sports and leisure tourism, is one of the main forms of activity on countryside greenways. Compared to urban greenways, cycling on countryside greenways is characterized by faster speeds, longer distances, and longer durations, making cyclists more attentive to the rest, view, and safety aspects of the staying spaces when selecting a place and deciding the duration of their stay. Eighty to ninety percent of the external information perceived by humans is obtained through vision, which significantly impacts human behavior and environmental experiences. Riders on countryside greenways are often drawn to the unique visual environment and make temporary, impromptu stays, potentially increasing safety risks. Additionally, existing regulatory documents have not adequately considered the safety of cycling on countryside greenways, resulting in insufficient attention to this issue. Thus, studying the characteristics of staying behaviors and the influencing factors of the visual environment on countryside greenway cycling is of practical significance and also expands upon existing greenway research. The planning and design of staying points in combination with the visual environment not only help improve the safety and friendliness of greenway cycling but also leverage scenic resources to attract cyclists to stay longer, thereby enhancing the usage intensity of the countryside greenway and further promoting the development of the tourism economy in the countryside.