Best practices for promoting cycling amongst university students and employees

Publication date: Available online 10 March 2018 Source:Journal of Transport & Health Author(s): Oliver Wilson, Nicole Vairo, Melissa Bopp, Dangaia Sims, Katherine Dutt, Brooke Pinkos The benefits of active commuting (walking and biking to work) are well documented, though rates of participation remain low in the United States. University policies, programs and environments significantly influence student and employee's travel mode choice, though relatively little is known about appropriate strategies. Therefore, this study's purpose was to examine the best practices universities could implement in order to increase student and employee active commuting, focusing specifically on cycling. Universities designated as bicycle-friendly were interviewed to examine how they addressed engineering, encouragement, education, evaluation, and enforcement for cycling. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded. Universities (n = 17) ranged in size (small to large), bike-friendliness designation levels (bronze, silver, gold or platinum), and geographic location. Universities reported the following as promoting/facilitating cycling: quality bicycling infrastructure connecting campus and surrounding areas, various educational initiatives and resources, bike share accessibility, a written bike plan and regular transportation surveys, and secure bicycle storage areas and theft deterrents. The interaction between the university and community to support cycling on d...
Source: Journal of Transport and Health - Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research