Cycling to work in 90 large American cities: new evidence on the role of bike paths and lanes |
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Authors: | Ralph Buehler John Pucher |
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Institution: | (1) School of Public and International Affairs, Virginia Tech, Alexandria Center, 1021 Prince Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA;(2) Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University, 33 Livingston Avenue, Room 363, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA |
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Abstract: | This article analyzes the variation in bike commuting in large American cities, with a focus on assessing the influence of
bike paths and lanes, which have been the main approach to increasing cycling in the USA. To examine the role of cycling facilities,
we used a newly assembled dataset on the length of bike lanes and paths in 2008 collected directly from 90 of the 100 largest
U.S. cities. Pearson’s correlation, bivariate quartile analysis, and two different types of regressions were used to measure
the relationship between cycling levels and bikeways, as well as other explanatory and control variables. Ordinary Least Squares
and Binary Logit Proportions regressions confirm that cities with a greater supply of bike paths and lanes have significantly
higher bike commute rates—even when controlling for land use, climate, socioeconomic factors, gasoline prices, public transport
supply, and cycling safety. Standard tests indicate that the models are a good fit, with R
2 ranging between 0.60 and 0.65. Computed coefficients have the expected signs for all variables in the various regression
models, but not all are statistically significant. Estimated elasticities indicate that both off-street paths and on-street
lanes have a similar positive association with bike commute rates in U.S. cities. Our results are consistent with previous
research on the importance of separate cycling facilities and provide additional information about the potentially different
role of paths vs. lanes. Our analysis also revealed that cities with safer cycling, lower auto ownership, more students, less
sprawl, and higher gasoline prices had more cycling to work. By comparison, annual precipitation, the number of cold and hot
days, and public transport supply were not statistically significant predictors of bike commuting in large cities. |
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