Please click on the poster thumbnail above to enlarge the image.
Audio Presentation
Link will open in a new tab.
External Poster Media Link
Link will open in a new tab.
Quantifying relationship between bike connectivity and safety vary with percentage of Hispanic
Abstract:
<p>Amid a growing interest in sustainable transportation, bicycling gains appeal due to its environmental, health, and economic benefits. However, safety concerns often deter potential cyclists, prompting cities to invest in bike infrastructure networks for broader access. Despite the increasing interest in bike networks, few studies examine how connected infrastructure influences rider safety and equitable access across neighborhoods. Our goal is to understand safety outcomes of connected bike infrastructures by quantifying the relationship between bike crashes and connectivity, and examine how these relationships vary with neighborhood socio-economic characteristics. We used a hierarchical negative binomial regression model to assess the relationship between bike crashes and connectivity scores in 125 block groups in Santa Barbara and Goleta, California. Additionally, we investigated how this relationship varies with the percentage of Hispanic residents in the neighborhoods. After adjusting for exposure, topography, and demographics, our analysis unveiled a positive association between bike crashes and connectivity (β = 0.25), suggesting that more connected bike networks may heighten collision risks. Similar findings exist in other area, possibly related to urban areas where connected infrastructures attract more biking. Notably, in neighborhoods with a higher percentage of Hispanic residents, the association between bike crashes and connectivity was more pronounced (β = 0.31), indicating a disproportionately higher risk faced by Hispanic neighborhoods, possibly linked to the lower quality of bike infrastructure. Our findings suggest that policymakers should prioritize equitable resource allocation to investigate and address disparities in bike infrastructure, ensuring that infrastructure projects meet the unique needs and safety concerns of underrepresented communities.</p>
Keywords: bike network, bike safety, connectivity, equity
Authors:
Jiahua Chen, UCSB; Submitting Author / Primary Presenter
Peter Kedron, UCSB; Co-Author (this author will not present)
Trisalyn Nelson, UCSB; Co-Author (this author will not present)
, ;
, {SubmissionForm.presentersAuthors/affiliation#4};
, ;
, ;
, ;
, ;
, ;
, ;
Quantifying relationship between bike connectivity and safety vary with percentage of Hispanic
Category
In-Person Paper Abstract