National Assessment of Bicycle Friendliness Using a Spatial Approach: Focus on Universities and Communities
Publication: Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Volume 147, Issue 2
Abstract
Bicycle mobility as a sustainable form of transportation has been increasing, particularly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, evaluating bicycle friendly areas, including communities and universities, across the United States is valuable. The League of American Bicyclists organization has a certification for bicycle-friendly universities (BFUs) and bicycle-friendly communities (BFCs). This research investigates existing BFUs and BFCs based on a spatial and frequency analysis of factors to understand trends in bike-friendly certification across the country. The results show that the majority of BFCs and BFUs fall within a megaregion boundary with the highest density in the Great Lakes and the Northeast. In addition, the majority of BFUs are located within BFCs. Using a Geographic Information System, the BFUs and BFCs are mapped and compared based on density, proximity, as well as demographic, climate, multimodal systems, university-specific, health, and land use factors, in order to determine commonalities in existing bike-friendly areas.
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Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Volume 147 • Issue 2 • June 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 7, 2020
Accepted: Nov 10, 2020
Published online: Feb 8, 2021
Published in print: Jun 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Jul 8, 2021
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