Knowing about a public bicycle share program in Montreal, Canada: Are diffusion of innovation and proximity enough for equitable awareness?

This study examined 2-year changes in lack of awareness of a transport-related innovation implemented in Spring 2009 in Montreal, Canada, namely a PBSP called BIXI© as a function of proximity to bicycle docking stations and educational attainment As part of a larger investigation, a repeated cross-sectional design was used. A sample of 7011 adults was recruited through random-digit dialling to landline telephones in three population surveys: prior to implementation (n=2000), after season 1 (n=2502), and after season 2 (n=2509). Multivariable logistic regression analyses examined associations of survey periods, proximity to docking stations, and education with lack of awareness while controlling for socio-demographic and health characteristics. At baseline, lower education and absence of docking stations within walking distance were associated with lower likelihood of awareness of the PBSP. There was a greater likelihood of being PBSP-unaware among those with lower education after season 1 implementation in comparison to those with higher education (OR=1.60, 95%CI: 1.18, 2.19). Those with lower education after season 2 implementation in neighbourhoods where PBSP was available were more likely to be PBSP-unaware in comparison to those with higher education in neighbourhoods without PBSP docking stations (OR=1.63, 95%CI: 1.01, 2.64). Although lack of awareness decreased over time, greater percentages of being PBSP-unaware were observed among those with lower education and livin...
Source: Journal of Transport and Health - Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research