External link: http://amonline.trb.org/trb57535-2015-1.1793793/t026-1.1810007/477-1.1805350/15-5716-1.1810406/15-5716-1.1939812?qr=1
Publication date: January 1, 2015
Capsule summary: This paper examines the motivations for and barriers to cycling experienced by the volunteers and participants of a folding bike-loan program in a small town in California’s Central Valley.
Author(s): Palm, Matthew; Niemeier, Deborah
Publisher(s): TRB
Definition: Planning practices for pedestrians, bikes and transit
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/research-theme/bikeped/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
TRID Search Results Page: https://trid.trb.org/results.aspx?tc=NN:Aex
TRT Search Results Page: https://trt.trb.org/trt.asp?NN=Aex
Definitions: The movement of people
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/mode/personal/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
TRID Search Results Page: https://trid.trb.org/results.aspx?tc=NN:Ajp
TRT Search Results Page: https://trt.trb.org/trt.asp?NN=Ajp
Definitions: Transportation by bicycle
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/mode/personal/bicycle/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
TRID Search Results Page: https://trid.trb.org/results.aspx?tc=NN:Bmbd
TRT Search Results Page: https://trt.trb.org/trt.asp?NN=Bmbd
Definition: Article from an academic or professional journal
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/resource-type/article/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
TRID Search Results Page: n/a
TRT Search Results Page: n/a
Description: In this paper, the authors discuss the outcomes of a pilot program in which a local nonprofit provided folding bikes to sixteen participants, the majority of whom were low-income women of color. The study consisted of interviews with 25 participants in the program (including volunteers), who were asked about their perceptions of cycling for both transportation and leisure, their motivations for joining the program, and the barriers that they face to bicycling.
Objectives: There is fairly little in the existing literature on the concerns of low to moderate-income cyclists of color, particularly those who live in small, rural towns. Through this study, the organizers sought to gain a better understanding of the particular concerns held by these groups of cyclists in order to create more effective tools for future bicycle outreach.
Findings: Participants were primarily motivated by concerns about physical and mental health, and personal and familial well-being. Many participants did not have the time or money for exercise classes or gym memberships, so cycling enabled them to be active within their daily routines. Participants with children also saw cycling as a meaningful way to spend time with their families. Additionally, many participants appreciated the sense of “freedom, independence, and pride” bestowed on them by cycling that the cumbersome costs and maintenance involved with car ownership could not provide.
Recommendations: Folding bikes, like the ones used the pilot study, reduce many obstacles to cycling faced by low-income populations. The folding bikes’ compact size makes storage easier, and enables families to store them within their homes and reduce the likelihood of theft. Additionally, many families cannot afford multiple bikes, so the folding bikes’ easily adjustable seat allows multiple people to share the same bike. Folding bikes can also be brought onto buses, allowing people with longer commutes to use their bikes to aid in closing the first mile/last mile gap. Finally, the smaller tires and overall size makes the process of learning (or re-learning) how to ride a bike less daunting to prospective riders. As such, folding bikes are an effective tool to use in the implementation of similar programs.
Research Theme: Planning for Pedestrians, Bikes, and Transit
Community Type: Rural
Transportation Mode: Bicycle, Personal
Planning Scope:
Organization Type:
Planning Subject: