Grantee Research Project Results
The Boone Bicycle Initiative: A Community Based Project to Promote Bicycles as an Alternative Mode of Transportation
EPA Grant Number: SU833560Title: The Boone Bicycle Initiative: A Community Based Project to Promote Bicycles as an Alternative Mode of Transportation
Investigators: Raichle, Brian W. , Watts, Alan Charles , Krieg, Gabriel Solomon
Current Investigators: Raichle, Brian W. , Watts, Alan Charles , Nelson, J. Grey , Krieg, Gabriel Solomon , Moody, Alex , Hertz, Dan , Winston, Susan
Institution: Appalachian State University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 2007 through August 31, 2008
Project Amount: $10,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2007) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Sustainable and Healthy Communities , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
An effective bicycle distribution program has the potential to alleviate traffic congestion and improve air quality by reducing air pollution. This project will seek to improve traffic conditions, air quality, and health (through exercise) all leading to higher quality of life in our community (People). Cycling saves money otherwise spent on gasoline, reduces dependence on foreign oil, and decreases the demand for parking space construction, while improving traffic congestion all of which contribute to economic prosperity (Prosperity). An effective program would offset carbon emissions and fossil fuel usage by promoting a sustainable alternative to the automobile. We will accomplish this through recycled/donated bikes that would otherwise be thrown into the waste stream (Planet).
Approach:
Our aim is to design and implement a replicable model for an effective, community-based bicycle distribution facility. While bicycle distribution programs exist, their success rates vary greatly. We will integrate policy research and education into a bicycle distribution facility that provides bicycles at little or no-cost to members of the community. Our program is novel in that it integrates education, research, advocacy and distribution into a single facility. Through analysis of existing programs we will fine tune our model and provide publicly available data on our outcomes. Because we are focused on education, demonstration will occur throughout the project’s duration. Both qualitative (attitudinal surveys) and quantitative methods (odometer readings, usage statistics) of evaluation will be conducted by our research team.
Our project will be incorporated into the Appropriate Technology and Sustainable Development curriculums at ASU. Courses such as Sustainable Transportation will make use of our facilities and assist in maintenance and research. Additionally, educational workshops for the community will be held on topics such as bicycle maintenance, safety and sustainability.
Supplemental Keywords:
bikes, bicycles, sustainable planning, global climate, ecological effects, pollution prevention, alternatives, sustainable development, clean technologies, social science, Southeast, North Carolina,Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.