The research team examines the factors that influence bicycle share among underserved populations

Researchers Jennifer Dill, Jiahui Ma, Nathan McNeil, Joseph Broach and John MacArthur of Portland State University published a new paper in the November 2022 issue of the journal. Transport Part D: Transport and the environment. The open access article, Factors Influencing Bicycle Share among Underserved Populations: Evidence from Three US Cities, examines bicycle use and interest among low-income residents and people of color in New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

There is evidence that low-income people and people of color (POC) in the US do not use bike share as much as with higher income and white people. Using data from residents living near bike stations in New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia, the article examines the reasons for these differences. Researchers looked at many factors that could explain bicycle use and interest in low-income, racially diverse, and traditionally underserved neighborhoods. They focused on residents who live near bike stations so that proximity is not a barrier.

A few key takeaways:

1. People who are not members but are interested in using bike share, including POC, are motivated to use bike share for fun, recreation and social reasons (as opposed to utility).
2. Knowing about bikeshares and receiving information from interactive sources (such as bikeshare ambassadors) are related to using bikeshares.
3. Cost is a barrier for people who are interested in using bike share but are not members. Discounted memberships are one solution, but the survey results show that many people are aware of them.

Share some of your reasons for not using a bicycle colored people and low-income people may also be associated with reasons for not cycling as a rule. This includes problems with the occasion traffic safety as well as personal safety.