Nanzala, Electine Melenia2012-05-042012-05-042012-05-04http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/4471Department of Home Economics, 51p The HE 5739.K4 N3 1996The general objective of this study was to determine the factors that affect the demand for bicycle transport (passenger-carrying) services in Busia District. More specifically, the objectives were to identify the main factors; estimate the demand function and measure the corresponding elasticities and use the study findings to generate policy recommendations. Both linear and log-linear regression functions were analysed with the latter giving a better fit of 79.13 percent compared to 71.79 percent for the former. Own price elasticity of demand was found to be less than unity. Income elasticity was also found to be less than unity and cross-price elasticity between demand for bicycle transport services and the "matatu" fare was negative and less than unity. The findings of the study can be summarized as follows: (i) Own price, income of the household head and bicycle ownership were found to be significant determinants of demand for bicycle transport services. Distance, age, sex of the household head, occupation and price of matatu transport services insignificantly determine this demand (ii) Bicycle transport service is a necessity and it is complementary to "matatu" transport service. The policy recommendation generated from the results of the study is that integration of bicycle transport services in the rural transport system is viable. Therefore the study recommends that policy measures should be taken to ensure the spread of the use of bicycles as one of the low cost measures to satisfy rural mobility needs. The general objective of this study was to determine the factors that affect the demand for bicycle transport (passenger-carrying) services in Busia District. More specifically, the objectives were to identify the main factors; estimate the demand function and measure the corresponding elasticities and use the study findings to generate policy recommendations. Both linear and log-linear regression functions were analysed with the latter giving a better fit of 79.13 percent compared to 71.79 percent for the former. Own price elasticity of demand was found to be less than unity. Income elasticity was also found to be less than unity and cross-price elasticity between demand for bicycle transport services and the "matatu" fare was negative and less than unity. The findings of the study can be summarized as follows: (i) Own price, income of the household head and bicycle ownership were found to be significant determinants of demand for bicycle transport services. Distance, age, sex of the household head, occupation and price of matatu transport services insignificantly determine this demand (ii) Bicycle transport service is a necessity and it is complementary to "matatu" transport service. The policy recommendation generated from the results of the study is that integration of bicycle transport services in the rural transport system is viable. Therefore the study recommends that policy measures should be taken to ensure the spread of the use of bicycles as one of the low cost measures to satisfy rural mobility needs.enTransportation--Kenya//Bicycles--KenyaTransportation--KenyaBicycles--KenyaThesis