Overview
Biking is efficient, relatively inexpensive, reduces traffic congestion, reduces air pollution, and touts a slew of health benefits. With half of all urban trips, biking is a realistic option.
Many see biking as an intriguing transportation option but have concerns about safety for those riding. It is clear these concerns highlight particular safety inequities for cyclists of color, who face disproportionately higher fatality rates than white bicyclists. These disparities are coupled with the principle that transportation should increase and improve physical mobility for all people, so they can take advantage of economic and social opportunities. Centering equity in bike infrastructure planning is thus crucial to eliminating disparities and making cities better places to live.
Technical Assistance for Members
Member cities can request up to three short policy memos per year on the topics that you need the most help with. Learn more.
What Cities Can Do
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Bicycle Committees
Many cities are forming bicycle committees as a way to tackle bicycle-specific issues. The Bicycle Advisory Committee in Minneapolis, MN passed a resolution to prioritize equity in its work.
Data
City data can offer a wealth of information about who is underserved in a community, and who would benefit most from more resources. Charlotte, NC conducted a survey on bike participation that offers guidance for achieving bike equity in the city.
Bike Share
Pittsburgh, PA became the first U.S. city to offer free bike share to its transit riders. Anyone with a transit pass can access bike shire free of cost, which eliminates cost as a potential barrier for many to bike.
Bike Trail Improvements
Keene, NH’s mayor oversaw major improvements to its bike trail network, prioritizing expanding the network to lower income neighborhoods to expand access to vital services such as hospitals and schools. Keene is also the first U.S. city with a Bicycle Mayor, whose mission – among other things–is to educate the public on bike safety.
Additional Resources
Our Related Work
External Resources
- The All Ages and Abilities Design Toolbox
- Choosing an All Ages & Abilities Bicycle Facility
- What Will It Take To Close the Gender Gap In Urban Cycling?
- 16 Small Cities Team Up on Bike-Share
- Bicycle Equity Statement of Principle
- Equitable Bike Share Means Building Better Places for People to Ride
- Building Equity, Michael Andersen and Mary Lauran Hall
- At the Intersection of Active Transportation and Equity
- The New Majority: Pedaling Towards Equity