Abstract

Integrating Social Equity into Long Range Bicycle Planning using GIS.
Track: Urban and Regional Planning
Authors: Chad Lynch

Bicycling as a means of transportation is as important now as any period in man's existence. Bicycle ownership is not only much less expensive than that of owning a car it also promotes a healthy life style as well as producing zero CO2 emissions.
Originally drafted in 2007, the Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) outlines the city goals and objectives in making bicycling a more safe and dependable means of transportation across the city. In 2012 the City of Seattle Department of Transportation began the process of updating the BMP with the goal of attracting more riders from a more diverse set of communities. To aid in this task, staff integrated both American Community Survey (ACS) and 2010 Census data regarding income, race and commuting habits to identify areas where latent demand existed. This paper identifies the steps taken to accomplish the goal of promoting bicycling in traditionally underserved communities.