The way we measure the success of bikeshare systems could be giving us the wrong idea about their impacts, and about the transportation needs of low-income areas.
An op-ed in NextCity argues that the conversation about equity in bikeshare systems must go beyond ridership rates per demographic.
The article makes six recommendations to better measure the impacts of bikeshare systems, and to improve upon them.
1. Prioritize access, and use "access metrics."
"An equitable system provides equal access to bikes throughout the program area and is big enough to provide meaningful coverage," the article explains. Suggested "access metrics" include the number of bikes available, the number and location of stations, and the percentage of the population served who are low-income and/or people of color.
Other tips include building bike lanes and making connections to transit.
FULL STORY: How We’ll Know When We’re Getting Bike Equity Right
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises
Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.
Brightline West Breaks Ground
The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.