Grantee Research Project Results

Bicycling For Transportation at Georgia State University

EPA Grant Number: SU834436
Title: Bicycling For Transportation at Georgia State University
Investigators: Steward, John A.
Current Investigators: Steward, John A. , Schaefer, Alex , Normoyle, Catherine , Stauber, Christine , McLaughlin, Devin , Adair, Emily , Martin, Lindsey , Pope, Nancy , Taquechel, Palmer , Kraft, Shannon , Lynch, Victoria
Institution: Georgia State University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2009 through August 14, 2010
Project Amount: $9,999
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2009) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities

Objective:

Increase the use of bicycling as a desirable form of transportation on the Georgia State University campus.

Approach:

Effective urban transportation means that a variety of transportation modes are available. Use of bicycles for transportation is important to environmental improvement, public health and sustainable transportation. Bicycling reduces air pollution by replacing automobiles and reduces vehicle congestion. University communities are more likely to commute by bicycle than city dwellers. However, a downtown urban university campus poses unique challenges for those who use bicycles for transportation. Downtown campus environments often lack acceptable facilities for securing and storing bicycles at destinations. There is often resistance to increasing bicycle facilities because of negative perceptions about bicycle racks (aesthetically unappealing, not secure, and damage to property). Potential bicycle users often face barriers due to perceptions that bicycling on downtown streets is unsafe, lack of facilities for unanticipated bicycle repairs, and lack of awareness of bicycle facilities. This project seeks to investigate and address the barriers to bicycle use and develop a program of encouraging bicycles at Georgia State University. The goal is to increase utilitarian bicycle use on the downtown college campus and improve infrastructure to support bicycling. The project will determine student, faculty, and staff perceptions and attitudes regarding utilitarian bicycle use, as well as the perceptions of the downtown business community regarding bicycling and bicycle racks. It will investigate information, policies, and environmental changes necessary to overcome negative perceptions by providing information to both current and potential riders. A contest to design aesthetically pleasing, highly-functional, and secure bicycle racks will be conducted to encourage student interest in bicycle facilities and to increase acceptance of bicycle racks as public art. A campus facility will be developed to allow bicycle users to obtain minor repairs. Geographic information systems will be used to analyze the patterns of bicycle use and to identify locations for providing improved bicycle rack locations in the downtown area. Observations and surveys will be conducted to measure changes in bicycle use on campus and to compare attitudes and perceptions of the bicycle racks before and after the project.

Expected Results:

The project will engage the university arts community in environmental sustainability, and the placement of artistic bike racks will increase awareness that bicycling is a feasible and appropriate means of transportation. The individuals either bicycling for transportation of considering bicycling as a means of transportation will increase. The project directly addresses the goals of the Clean Air Act and other statutes and programs.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 1 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

air pollution, physical activity, transportation, health promotion;

Progress and Final Reports:

Final Report