EQUITABLE TRANSPORTATION ACCESSIBILITY
EXPLORING OPTIONS FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
2017 COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOP Karina Gonzalez & Monica Solis COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Equitable Transportation Accessibility:
Exploring Options For Underserved Communities in Fort Collins Colorado Prepared for: Chris Johnson, Executive Director, Bike Fort Collins
Prepared by: Karina Gonzalez Monica Solis 2017 CSU Community Sustainability Fellows Colorado State University Community Sustainability Workshop 27 July 2017
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Fort Collins is well known for being bikefriendly. Throughout most of the city, one will see bike lanes, places to lock bikes in front of buildings, and bike shops. But biking is not for everyone, luckily, and it is fairly easy to get around by walking or utilizing the public transit system. Outside the city limits of Fort Collins, these bike-friendly streets diminish. The purpose of this Bike Fort Collins project is to find ways to extend the resources found in Fort Collins beyond the city limits with the hopes of encouraging communities to use active transportation such as biking and walking more frequently. The target location for this project is the Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park (PVMHP). This community, sitting on the northern edge of the Fort Collins’ city limits, was chosen by Bike Fort Collins as the target location because the changes that can be made will be beneficial to not only to residents’ everyday lives, but also their safety. In this particular neighborhood, if a resident does not own a car, they are at a disadvantage when it comes to commuting regularly. This project addresses the three key aspects of sustainability—ecology, economy, and social equity— and will help build community resilience in different ways. The first and most important aspect is health. If residents were to use active transportation (biking, walking, public transit systems, etc.) more, they would be healthier, which plays a big part in a sustainable
community. Another beneficial side effect from this project would be decreased pollution as the community would be biking, walking or using the bus more, which would reduce the number of cars on the road. Throughout the eight weeks of the project, the project team assisted Bike Fort Collins with translating (English to Spanish) and finalizing surveys, administering the surveys by going doorto-door, and analyzing the results. The survey (see Appendix A) contained questions about biking and walking and barriers or incentives that could affect the amount of biking and walking done. To obtain more data, the survey was promoted on social media as well, although that data is not included in this analysis. From the 22% feedback acquired from the surveys, it was learned that while 60% of the people surveyed owned bikes, they were not used often (“PVMHP”). Something acknowledged several times was that if there were more protected bike lanes, sidewalks, and less high speed traffic, the residents would bike and walk more regularly. What was concluded is a focus on community involvement to improve a neighborhood, thus, increasing active transportation in other communities similar to PVMHP as well.
RESUMEN EJECUTIVO Fort Collins es bien conocido por ser bicicletaamistoso. A lo largo de la mayor parte de la ciudad se verán carriles de bicicletas, lugares para bloquear su bicicleta delante de los edificios, y un montón de tiendas de bicicletas. Ciclismo no es para todos, por suerte, es bastante fácil moverse a pie o utilizando el sistema de transporte público. Pasando los límites de la ciudad de Fort Collins, las calles para bicicletas se reducen. El propósito del proyecto Bike Fort Collins es extender los recursos encontrados en Fort Collins más allá de los límites de la ciudad con la esperanza de alentar a las comunidades a usar el transporte activo como andar en bicicleta o caminar con más frecuencia. El lugar de destino para este proyecto es el Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park (PVMHP). Esta comunidad, sentada justo fuera del límite norte de los límites de la ciudad de Fort Collins, fue elegida por Bike Fort Collins como el lugar de destino porque los cambios que se pueden hacer serán beneficiosos no sólo para su vida cotidiana, sino también para su seguridad. En este vecindario en particular, si el residente no es dueño de un coche, están en desventaja cuando se trata de conmutando regularmente. Este proyecto aborda los tres aspectos clave de la sostenibilidad-ecología, economía y equidad social- y ayudará a construir la resiliencia de la comunidad de diferentes maneras. El primer y más importante aspecto es la salud. Si los residentes fueran a utilizar el transporte activo (ciclismo, caminar, sistemas de transporte
público, etc) más, sería más saludable, facilitando juega un papel importante en una comunidad sostenible. Otro efecto secundario beneficioso de este proyecto sería una disminución de la contaminación. La comunidad andando en bicicleta, caminando o utilizando el autobús más, reduciría el número de coches en la carretera. Durante las ocho semanas, este grupo de proyecto ayudó a Bike Fort Collins a traducir y finalizar cuestionarios, administrando los cuestionarios de puerta en puerta y analizar los resultados. La encuesta (ver el Apéndice) contenía preguntas sobre andar en bicicleta, caminando y las barreras o incentivos que podrían afectar la cantidad de ciclismo y caminar hecho. Para obtener más datos, la encuesta se promovió en los medios de comunicación social también. Del 22% de retroalimentación adquirida se supo que el 60% de las personas encuestadas poseían bicicletas, no se usaban con frecuencia (PVMHP). Continuamente, algo que fue reconocido varias veces fue que si hubiera más carriles para bicicletas protegidos, aceras y menos tráfico de alta velocidad, los residentes iban a andar en bicicleta y / o caminar más regularmente. Lo que se concluyó es concentrarse en la participación de la comunidad para mejorar un vecindario, aumentando así el transporte activo en otras comunidades similares al PVMHP.
CONTENTS Introduction Background Information ......................................................................................... 2 Project Purpose ....................................................................................................... 2
Research PVMHP Demographics .......................................................................................... 4 7-Step Process ......................................................................................................... 5 Walking Audit ......................................................................................................... 6 Survey ..................................................................................................................... 7 Case Studies ............................................................................................................ 7 Mapping Analysis ................................................................................................... 8 Future Research ...................................................................................................... 8 Analysis Survey Results ...................................................................................................... 10 Recommendations ................................................................................................. 10 Conclusion Sustainability Aspect ............................................................................................ 12 Using the Process Elsewhere ................................................................................ 12 Next Phases ........................................................................................................... 12 About the Authors ................................................................................................. 13 Works Cited .......................................................................................................... 14 Appendix ............................................................................................................... 15
INTRODUCTION
Background Information Bike Fort Collins (BFC) is a local nonprofit organization, directed by Chris Johnson, interested in improving street safety to encourage active transportation. This organization received a grant from Kaiser Permanente in October 2016 to work with the residents of the Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park (PVMHP) to do just that. The grant period began in January 2017, before the CSU Sustainability Workshop began helping. Before the community sustainability fellows were introduced to the project, BFC had come to the conclusion that collecting surveys would be the best way to gather input from the neighborhood.
BFC created a survey and began the Spanish translation. In the eight weeks given, this project team helped to finalize the survey BFC had been working on as well as helped with the Spanish translation. After the survey was finalized and approved, collection of data began using the surveys to understand what could benefit the PVMHP community the most. Once the community sustainability fellows complete the current project, BFC will continue with the effort in this community. Once they accomplish their goal at the PVMHP, they will use their findings to potentially use the same process in other overlooked neighborhoods.
Project Purpose Throughout the duration of the project, the community sustainability fellows wanted to accomplish a specific set of goals. The main goal was helping BFC make it safer for the PVMHP residents to bike both for active transportation and recreation. After having visited the community on a regular basis, it is clear that it can be quite dangerous for the residents to leave/enter the community, as well for the children forced to bike in the middle of the road because of the lack of sidewalks inside the mobile home park. In the city of Fort Collins, there are several bike lanes and wide sidewalks available for the public which makes it easier to commute compared to places like the PVMHP.
BFC wanted to get the community involved before suggesting any changes to make sure the residents agree with any decisions regarding their homes. Instead of strangers coming in and telling everyone what needs to be changed in their home, hearing the residents’ concerns and opinions on this topic would benefit everyone involved. After the survey results were analyzed, and solutions were suggested, the project goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of the process. The same process could potentially be used in other neighborhoods around Fort Collins who find themselves in similar situations.
Young girls riding their bikes in the road due to no safer place to ride. (Photos by authors).
2
RESEARCH
Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park Demographics
The picture to the top right shows the PVMHP community. This neighborhood is home to 1,800 residents living in 352 units (“PVMHP”). BFC stated that the median annual household income in the park is roughly $30,000 (“PVMHP”). The park is privately owned land and the units are occupant-owned homes. This area does not fall within the city limits of Fort Collins (it is in Larimer County) which means it gets overlooked because its location doesn’t affect how the city is viewed.
Bike Fort Collins informed the project team about previous events they have hosted for the community including the Community Health Fair on June 4, 2017 and Bike Fort Collins Safe Routes to School weeklong program at Lincoln Middle School, where the majority of the PVMHP children attended, followed by professional learning events funded by the grant. The events were meant to educate the residents on active transportation: biking, walking, and riding the bus. Several of the residents seemed to show an interest in learning about biking and how to repair bikes. The picture to the bottom right shows a BFC volunteer during a local event repairing the bike of a boy who lives in the park. This is an example of the community being interested in active transportation.
Bird’s-eye view of the Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park. (Photo from Google Maps.)
Interest in biking and bike repair led the team to believe residents would be willing to give their input on how the neighborhood can improve.
A Bike Fort Collins volunteer helping a little boy who lives in the PVMHP community. (Photo by Bike Fort Collins.)
4
7-Step Process
1. Identify Problem
6.
2.
Develop Solutions: Local/Broader
Why is it Important & Set Goals
7. Future Steps 5.
3.
Data Synthesis & Analysis
Collect Data A: Existing Conditions, Surveys, Social Media 4.
Collect Data B: Mapping
Diagram by authors.
1. The problem identified was the inadequate accessibility to active transportation for the residents of the Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park. 2. This project is important because the changes that can be applied to this neighborhood with the construction of bike lanes and sidewalks could be beneficial to their daily lives as well as their safety. The overall goal is to make it safer for the Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park residents to commute via biking both for active and recreational transportation. 3. Collecting Data A consisted of administering a Walking Audit, door-to-door surveys, and outreach to social media both on Facebook and through a Community Newsletter. 4. Collecting Data B made use of Google Maps and other visual representations to receive a better sense of the Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park community. 5. The Data Synthesis & Analysis was a breakdown of the survey responses and understanding what they meant. 6. Developing of Solutions both locally and broadly made possible recommendations that can be implemented in or around the mobile park. 7. Future Steps is what the client, Bike Fort Collins and Chris Johnson, will continue to work on following the end of the Sustainability Fellows work with this project.
5
Walking Audit A walking audit was conducted on July 3, 2017 to determine the walkability of the PVMHP neighborhood to better understand how to resolve its problems. The audit is comprised of several questions related to sidewalk quality, problem areas, etc., that are meant to be answered as you walk around the specific neighborhood or street.
The walking path at the entry to the Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park from the nearest bus stop. (Photos by authors.)
The PVMHP walking audit was the first collection of data conducted in the neighborhood in several years. The questions answered consisted of basic information items such as “what is the width of the sidewalk?” “what type of sidewalk is it?” and “do you feel unsafe for any reason?” (Sidewalk Quality).
The conditions revealed by the walking audit were similar considering every street was in the same condition as any other (with a few exceptions). None of the streets inside the Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park have sidewalks, pedestrian amenities, or street signs. Although there are no street signs, you can tell the difference between streets by the unit number on the home. Because the street names are colors (such as red, green, and blue), the numbers on the homes are the color of the street they are on. For example, the homes on Red Street have the unit number on a red background, as is shown in the picture to the right.
An example of a mobile home on Red Street. Street names match the background color of mobile home unit number. (Photo by authors.)
6
Survey In addition to the Walking Audit, Bike Fort Collins (BFC) created a survey used to collect initial data from the community. The purpose of the survey was to determine the frequency at which residents engage in active transportation, the obstacles they face that limit how often they engage, and what would encourage them to use active transportation more frequently. In order to accommodate the Spanish speakers in the community, the survey was translated into Spanish to encourage involvement. The survey was designed to identify multiple variables that contribute to the prevalence of active transportation in PVMHP (full survey can be found in Appendix A with results in Appendix B). On July 10, 2017, the team began the first round of surveying which would last for a little over a week. Every day for about two-three hours, occasionally twice in one day, the community was surveyed with the hopes of a high response rate. The community sustainability fellows and BFC employee Victor Lopez knocked on approximately 200 doors out of the 352 homes in the park. An approach used to receive the most useful feedback involved keeping track of which homes surveys were collected from, who did not want to participate, and who was not home or was busy at the moment. The team wanted to make sure not to go to the same home twice, and set a time to come back for those who were interested but did not have time when first contacted. Feedback was received from approximately 22% of park residents by going door-to-door (“PVMHP”). These efforts were made successful largely due to the fact that the project team was bilingual and able to administer the surveys in the language spoken by the residents. The response rate would have been lower if a Spanish survey was not available due to the fact that many of the residents felt more comfortable talking to a Spanish speaker. The team collected surveys door-to-door. (Image by authors.)
The Green Lane Project The purpose of this project was to inform people that providing green bike lanes helps bikers feel safer when commuting. The bike lanes are protected by barriers and are painted green. People feel safer because it makes a clear distinction between bike lanes and car lanes. To come to this conclusion, researchers went out and asked why bikers did not like biking in the city. The answer to this question was consistent across several states: they feel unsafe. The six cities that participated in the project (Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Knoxville, Portland, Minneapolis, and San Jose) constructed protected bicycle lanes in-between the sidewalk and parked cars. As predicted, once the lanes were complete, more bikers of all ages were seen on the road (Krisberg). This is relevant to the BFC project because in these six cities, protected bike lanes increased the amount of active transportation seen on the road. If the same thing were done in the PVMHP, the residents would see the new lanes as an incentive to bike more.
An example of a bike lane from The Green Lane Project.
“Not only did we see more bikers, we saw older and younger bikers, more women bikers—just a broader cross-section of the D.C. population using this lane.” -Jim Sebastian, transportation planner at the District Department of Transportation (Krisberg) 7
Mapping Analysis By mapping the target location, the community sustainability fellows got a better overview of what they were working with. As shown in the picture to the left, PVMHP (the red dot) is approximately 0.3 miles outside the city limits of Fort Collins. The map illustrates the miles needed to get to important destinations such as King Soopers, Salud Medical Center, etc.
Distances to common destinations in comparison to the PVMHP community. (Photo made by authors.)
Future Research Facebook Approach Considering that the twenty-first century is heavily influenced by technology, the BFC team suggested reaching out to the community through Facebook. Using the Bike Fort Collins Facebook page, the team addressed the PVMHP community with a statement that read: Hello friends and family! Bike Fort Collins would like to know more about biking and walking in the Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park. Please take this easy to use online survey. To say thanks for your time, everyone who completes the survey (including address) will An example of the team’s survey outreach on Facebook. Making the receive a $10 gift card from King Soopers. survey available online could give the project more opportunities to receive input from the community.
The translated Spanish version was also on the website which reads:
Community Newsletter Approach
Hola amigos y familiares!
Instead of only getting input from door-to-door surveys, another mode of reaching out to the residents is through a community letter. The PVMHP currently sends out a monthly newsletter to every unit in the park. Using this newsletter is a way of reaching the people who were not home during the door-to-door surveys. The letter will include the same paragraphs used for the Facebook approach, in both English and Spanish. Bike Fort Collins will continuously update the newsletter section to encourage more participation. This is also a way to receive input from people who do not feel comfortable taking the survey in person.
Bike Fort Collins quiere saber más sobre ciclismo y caminar en Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park. Por favor, tome este cuestionario en línea fácil de usar. Para mostrar nuestro agradecimiento por su tiempo, todos los que completen la encuesta e incluyan una dirección recibirán una tarjeta de regalo de $10 de King Soopers. Click here for the survey in English: tinyurl.com/ bike-walk-survey Haga clic aquí para la encuesta en español: tinyurl.com/Bici-caminata-encuesta
8
ANALYSIS
Survey Results After gathering the initial data from the community, the data had to be analyzed for its significance and how it was going to be used. The team administered a total of 78 surveys, which is about 22% of the PVMHP homes. Although BFC will continue to collect data, this initial collection gives an idea of possible solutions that could increase active transportation in the area. Which of the following modes of transportation have you used in the past year to get from one place to another?
In evaluating potential solutions, one must take into consideration the residents that make up the community. To begin with, it was apparent that 75% of residents lived in this community for more than five years (“PVMHP”). These people have lived here long enough to know what needs to be changed in their neighborhood. Eighty-two percent were from Hispanic/Latino origin (“PVMHP”). Additionally, it was calculated that 23% were 55 or more years of age (“PVMHP”). Of those surveyed, 57% made less than $50,000 annually, whereas the majority made less than $15,000-24,000 a year (“PVMHP”).
84% 20% 31% 27% 29%
Survey question 3 was crucial in knowing what modes of transportation the residents of PVMHP have used in the past year. The bar graph to the left illustrates that the majority of the residents consistently used a vehicle to travel to their destinations. This is important because the gap between driving a car and active transportation (walking, biking etc.) is significant in the community. See Appendix B for analyses of other survey data. The bar graph shows survey answers with driving a car as the most used mode of transportation. (See Appendix A, question 3.)
Recommendations As it has been previously mentioned, the goal of the survey was to hear feedback from the community on the changes that they feel are necessary in order to safely use active transportation. Questions 10 and 16 in the survey gave the team the most straightforward solutions that the neighborhood want to see. The questions asked residents to “please state to what degree the following would serve as an incentive/encouragement for you to bike/walk more often” (“PVMHP”). These questions cover both improvements within the park as well as outside the community. The residents would be more likely to engage in active transportation more often if: Biking
Percent Wanting
Walking
Percent Wanting
Less Traffic/Speeding
54%
Less Traffic/Speeding
55%
-Fix speed bumps More Bike Paths
-Add more speed signs 54%
Better lighting at night
-Create bike paths/routes Protected Bicycle Lane
54%
-Add more street lamps 51%
Improved Sidewalk Quality
-Lane barrier between bikers and vehicles
51%
-Make high quality sidewalks
The table above includes the incentives for both biking and walking, that had the highest percentages within the results. This feedback is coming directly from the residents, which could improve active transportation in the community. (See Appendix A, questions 10, 16.)
10
CONCLUSION
Sustainability Aspect
Next Phases
The overall outcomes of this project will improve the sustainability and resilience of the PVMHP neighborhood. A major key to building a sustainable community is health. If this project is successful and active transportation is more accessible to the residents, their overall health will improve as well. Another outcome could be a decrease in the usage of cars. This builds resilience in an area because there will be less vehicle emissions, making the air cleaner.
To move to the next phase, the BFC team will be analyzing the data collected over the eight weeks this project team dedicated to this project. One of the next phases will be the most important throughout the project because it emphasizes the need for community involvement. During the survey collection, this project team acquired contact information of residents who would be willing to participate in discussions regarding this project. With these people, as well as other contacts that BFC has in the neighborhood, BFC hopes to create a community council. The Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park Active Living Plan community council will help develop a plan for the project by being the voice for their neighborhood that has residents’ best interests in mind.
Using the process elsewhere The main thing that makes this project different than others is the way it focuses on community involvement. This aspect of the project can make the project successful in communities that have a majority of marginalized populations, such as Hispanics/Latinos. Something that should not be underestimated is the fact that having the resources to communicate with residents in their native language or preferred language is extremely important to make them feel comfortable and welcomed to answer a survey. If a resident does not feel comfortable speaking with the administrator of the survey they would in turn not feel like an asset in the overall project, including giving their opinion on things such as active transportation. Using the same survey while going door-to-door will work in any other area. Although other communities could us the same method, the results will be different due to different conditions that the residents live in. Using the online survey approach would also be helpful somewhere else because you can reach out to the whole neighborhood instantly, generating quicker responses. The only challenge with this could be the platform in which the online survey is sent out. You need to have a targeted way of contacting only the residents of a certain community.
Bike Fort Collins director, Chris Johnson, engaging with residents of the PVMHP neighborhood. (Photo Bike Fort Collins.)
12
About The Authors
Karina Gonzalez Karina is a first year student at Colorado State University, exploring a degree in Criminal Justice.
Monica Solis Monica is a first year student at Colorado State University, exploring a degree in Human Development and Family Studies.
13
Works Cited Johnson, Chris. Personal Communication. Bike Fort Collins. Krisberg, Kim. “U.S. cities providing new lanes as cycling commutes increase: Green lanes in six cities target safety.” The National’s Health. September 2013. American Public Health Association. http://thenationshealth.aphapublications.org/content/43/7/1.3.full. Accessed 25 June 2017. “PVMHP Active Living Survey.” Survey. 24 July 2017.
“Sidewalk Quality” MapNoCO, https://mapnoco.org/sidewalk-quality. Accessed. 26 July 2017. All photos used are courtesy of Bike Fort Collins Facebook page unless noted otherwise. https://www.facebook.com/pg/BikeFortCollins/photos/?ref=page_internal
14
Appendix A
15
General Questions 1. Are you a resident in the Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park? o Yes o No (skip to question #3) 2. If yes, how long have you lived in the Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park (not necessarily the same home)? o Less than 6 months o 6-12 months
o 1-2 years o 2-5 years o 5 or more years
3. Which of the following modes of transportation have you used in the past year to get from one place to another? (circle all that apply) o o o o o
Drove your car Carpooled/rode as passenger Walked/Wheelchair rolled Used a bus/other public transport Bicycled
Bicycle Questions 4. Do you own a bicycle? o Yes, and it does not work o Yes, and it does work o No 5. How many times did you bicycle during the past year? What was the average length in miles of the bicycle ride you took? Less Than Once a Week 2 to 6 Times Every Once Week a Week Day Less than one mile One mile 2 miles 3 miles More than 3 miles Don’t know
6. For what specific reason do you use your bicycle? (Select one) o I bicycle mainly to exercise or to relax/have fun. o I bicycle mainly to get to a specific destination such as work, school or a store. o I bicycle equally for both reasons – to get to a specific destination and to exercise or to relax. 7. How easy or difficult is it to bicycle “inside” your neighborhood (Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park/2025)? o Very Easy o Somewhat Easy o Neither Easy or Difficult o Somewhat Difficult o Very Difficult 8. How easy or difficult is it to bicycle in the City of Fort Collins? o Very Easy o Somewhat Easy o Neither Easy or Difficult o Somewhat Difficult o Very Difficult Major Barrier Too busy/distances are too far/not enough time to get places Fearful of being Harassed or Physically Assaulted Fearful of being hit by a car Fearful of Police Harassment Fearful of Bicycle Being Stolen Someone to bicycle with Fearful of being stranded alone with bicycle No safe place to ride Weather Disability/Poor Health Don’t know how to repair a bicycle Don’t know how to ride a bicycle/No bicycle No access to key destinations (e.g., schools, stores) Entering/exiting your neighborhood No place to shower at final destination No place to store bicycle or no place to lock bicycle
Somewhat a Barrier
Minor Barrier
Not a Barrier
It is too inconvenient for me to bike (e.g., too many places to go, too far to travel) Fearful of getting lost 9. Please state to what degree the following serve as a barrier to you bicycling or bicycling more often:
10. Please state to what degree the following would serve as an incentive/encouragement for you bicycle or bicycle more often: Major Somewhat Incentive an Incentive Bike share/rental nearby
Minor Incentive
Protected bicycle lane (a lane that has a barrier between the car and the bike lane) Less Police Harassment Less crime Someone to bicycle with Less traffic/speeding More bike paths Weather Improved health Learning to ride Acquiring a bicycle Access to key destinations (e.g., schools, stores) Safely entering/exiting your neighborhood A shower at final destination A secure place store bicycle or to lock bicycle at final destination If it was more convenient for me to bike More directional signs to find routes and destinations Walking Questions 11. How many times did you walk/wheel during the past year? What was the average length in miles of the walk/wheel you went on? Less Than Once a Week 2 to 6 Times Every Once Week a Week Day Less than one mile One mile
Not an Incentive
2 miles 3 miles More than 3 miles Don’t know
12. For what specific reason do you walk/wheelchair roll? (Select one) o I walk/wheelchair roll mainly to exercise or to relax/have fun. o I walk/wheelchair roll mainly to get to a specific destination such as work, school or a store. o I walk/wheelchair roll equally for both reasons – to get to a specific destination and to exercise or to relax. 13. How easy or difficult is it to walk/wheelchair roll “inside” your neighborhood (Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park/2025)? a. Very Easy b. Somewhat Easy c. Neither Easy or Difficult d. Somewhat Difficult e. Very Difficult 14. How easy or difficult is it to walk/wheelchair roll in the City of Fort Collins? a. Very Easy b. Somewhat Easy c. Neither Easy or Difficult d. Somewhat Difficult e. Very Difficult 15. Please state to what degree the following serve as a barrier to you walking/wheelchair rolling or walking/wheelchair rolling more often:
Major Barrier Too busy/distances are too far/not enough time to get places Fearful of being Harassed or Physically Assaulted Fearful of being hit by a car Fearful of Police Harassment Someone to walk/wheelchair roll with Fearful of getting lost No safe place to walk/wheelchair roll
Somewhat a Barrier
Minor Barrier
Not a Barrier
Not enough ramps to transition from road to sidewalk Weather Disability/Poor Health Owning good shoes or proper clothes to wear/ having good equipment No access to key destinations (e.g., schools, stores) Entering/exiting your neighborhood Not enough lighting/ too dark 16. Please state to what degree the following would serve as an incentive/encouragement for you to walk/wheelchair roll or walk/wheelchair roll more often: Major Somewhat Minor Incentive an Incentive Incentive Improved sidewalk quality More ramps to access sidewalks easily Showers at Work/School Less Police Harassment Less crime Neighborhood walking or wheeling group or club Less traffic/speeding More sidewalks/areas to walk or wheel Weather Improved health Acquiring good shoes or clothes/equipment for walking or wheeling Access to key destinations (e.g., schools, stores) Safely entering/exiting your neighborhood Better Lighting More directional signs to find routes and destinations Demographics 17. What is your sex/gender? o Male o Female o Other _____________ o Prefer not to respond 18. What is your age? (Select one)
Not an Incentive
o 18-24 o 25-34 o 35-44
o o o o
45-54 55-64 65 or over Prefer not to respond
19. What is your annual household income? (Select one) o o o o
Less than $15,000 $15,000-$24,999 $25,000-$49,999 $50,000-$74,999
o o o o o
$75,000-$99,999 $100,000-$149,999 $150,000-$199,999 $200,000 or more Prefer not to respond
20. What is your race? o American Indian or Alaskan Native o Asian o Black or African American 21. What is your ethnicity? o Hispanic or Latino or Spanish Origin i. If yes, which country?________ o Not Hispanic or Latino or Spanish Origin o Prefer not to respond
o Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander o White o Prefer not to respond
7/25/2017
PVMHP Active Living Survey
PVMHP Active Living Survey
5. How many times did you bicycle in the past year? What was the average length in miles of the bicycle ride you took? 78 78 responses responses
Administered in Administered in English English or or Spanish Spanish 20 Less than once a week 76 76 responses responses
Once a week
2-6 times a Week
Every Day
15 English English Spanish Spanish
63.2% 63.2%
10
5
0
Less than one mile
One mile 36.8% 36.8%
2 miles
3 miles
More than 3 miles
1. Are you resident of Valley Home 6. do you useMobile your bicycle? (select one) 1. For Are what you a aspeci�c residentreason of Poudre Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park? Park?
77 57 77 responses responses
IYes bicycle mainly for exercise Yes or relax/have Noto(skip next Q)fun No (skip next Q) IYesterday bicycle mainly to get to a Yesterday specific destination such as work, school or a store.
31.6% 11.7% 11.7% 7.8% 7.8%
I bicycle equally for both reasons – to get to a specific destination and to exercise or to relax.
80.5% 80.5% 59.6%
7. How easy or di�cult is it to bicycle “inside” your neighborhood (Poudre 2. 2. If If yes, yes, how how long long have have you you lived lived in in the the Poudre Poudre Valley Valley Mobile Mobile Home Home Park Park Valley Mobile Home Park/2025)? (not necessarily necessarily the (not the same same home)? home)? 69 60 69 responses responses
Less Easy than 6 Months Very Less than 6 Months
6-12 Months Somewhat Easy PVMHP Active Living Survey 6-12 Months
10%
7/25/2017
1-2 Years Neither Easy or Difficult
75.4%
1-2 Years 31.7% 75.4% https://docs.google.com/a/rams.colostate.edu/forms/d/1Av1rCnS9LbLuqXa_prybIlewBZlQbhPwJ4FoAlKf4NM/viewanalytics 10% 75.4% https://docs.google.com/a/rams.colostate.edu/forms/d/1Av1rCnS9LbLuqXa_prybIlewBZlQbhPwJ4FoAlKf4NM/viewanalytics 2-5 Years Difficult Somewhat
1/13 1/13
5 or more years Very Difficult https://docs.google.com/a/rams.colostate.edu/forms/d/1Av1rCnS9LbLuqXa_prybIlewBZlQbhPwJ4FoAlKf4NM/viewanalytics 10.1%
13%
3. Which of the following modes of transportation have you used in the past year to get from one place to another? (circle all that apply) 77 responses
65 (84.4%)
Drove your car Carpooled/ro… Walked/Whe…
15 (19.5%) 24 (31.2%)
3/13
13%
past year to get from one place to another? (circle all that apply) 77 responses
(84.4%) Drove your carof the following modes of transportation have 65 3. Which you used in the past year to get from one place to another? (circle all that apply) 15 (19.5%)
Carpooled/ro…
77 responses
Walked/Whe…
24 (31.2%)
Drove your car Used a bus/…
15 (19.5%) 22 (28.6%)
Carpooled/ro… Riden a bicycle Walked/Whe…0
10
24 (31.2%) 30
20
40
50
60
70
40
50
60
70
21 (27.3%)
Used a bus/…
Bicycle Questions
22 (28.6%)
Riden a bicycle
0
65 (84.4%)
21 (27.3%)
10
20
30
4. Do you own a bicycle? Bicycle Questions 75 responses
4. Do you own a bicycle? 75 responses
Yes, and it works Yes, and it does not work
40%
No
Yes, and it works
75% 40%
Yes, and it does not work
https://docs.google.com/a/rams.colostate.edu/forms/d/1Av1rCnS9LbLuqXa_prybIlewBZlQbhPwJ4FoAlKf4NM/viewanalytics No 7/25/2017
2/13
PVMHP Active Living Survey
5. How many times did you bicycle in the past year? What was the average length in miles of the bicycle ride you took? https://docs.google.com/a/rams.colostate.edu/forms/d/1Av1rCnS9LbLuqXa_prybIlewBZlQbhPwJ4FoAlKf4NM/viewanalytics 20
Less than once a week
Once a week
2-6 times a Week
2/13
Every Day
15
10
5
0
Less than one mile
One mile
2 miles
3 miles
6. For what speci�c reason do you use your bicycle? (select one) 57 responses
31.6%
I bicycle mainly for exercise or to relax/have fun I bicycle mainly to get to a specific destination such as work, school or a store.
More More than than 33 miles miles
6. For what speci�c reason do you use your bicycle? (select one) 57 responses
I bicycle mainly for exercise or to relax/have fun
31.6%
I bicycle mainly to get to a specific destination such as work, school or a store. I bicycle equally for both reasons – to get to a specific destination and to exercise or to relax.
59.6%
7. How easy or di�cult is it to bicycle “inside” your neighborhood (Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park/2025)? 60 responses
Very Easy Somewhat Easy
10% 31.7%
Neither Easy or Difficult
10%
Somewhat Difficult Very Difficult PVMHP Active Living Survey
7/25/2017
https://docs.google.com/a/rams.colostate.edu/forms/d/1Av1rCnS9LbLuqXa_prybIlewBZlQbhPwJ4FoAlKf4NM/viewanalytics
3/13
45%
8. How easy or di�cult is it to bicycle in the City of Fort Collins? 62 responses
Very Easy
21%
Somewhat Easy Neither Easy or Difficult Somewhat Difficult
17.7%
Very Difficult
48.4%
9. Please state to what degree the following serve as a barrier to you bicycling or bicycling more often: 60
Major Barrier
Somewhat a Barrier
Minor Barrier
/…
of…
of…
Not a Barrier
40
20
0
sy
of…
of…
48.4% Very Easy
21%
Somewhat Easy Neither Easy or Difficult Somewhat Difficult
17.7%
9. Please state to what degree the followingVery serve as a barrier to you Difficult bicycling or bicycling more often: 60
Major Barrier
48.4% Somewhat a Barrier
Minor Barrier
Not a Barrier
40
9. Please state to what degree the following serve as a barrier to you bicycling or bicycling more often: 20
60 0
Major Barrier Somewhat a Barrier Minor Barrier Not a Barrier r r f… /o… ocfa… oof… styo t d lo l l a e e u u u r y licfue ab rf rsf Peoar reaas eitab eoso to ge h f a c F F F T o n g H e ul ent ein ista tim ing ulted arf 40 fb h be y/d Fe rassm lo of Assa us noug u f l b a r u lly a o H arf To /not e Fe Fe ysica far ces h P a pl 20
10. Please state to what degree the following would serve as an incentive/encouragement for you bicycle or bicycle more often: 0
y/… us ob To Major Incentive
60
of… ul arf Fe Somewhat an Incentive
ul
arf
Fe
of… Minor Incentive
ul
arf
Fe
Also asked, but responses not shown here, to what degree the following serve as a barrier to you bicycling or bicycling more often: • Fearful of Bicycle Being Stolen • Someone to bicycle with • Fearful of being stranded alone with bicycle • No safe place to ride • Weather • Disability/Poor Health • Don’t know how to repair a bicycle • Don’t know how to ride a bicycle/No bicycle • No access to key destinations (e.g., schools, stores) • Entering/exiting your neighborhood No place to shower at final destinaf… • o ul tion arf Fe • No place to store bicycle or no place to lock bicycle • It is too inconvenient for me to bike (e.g., too many places to go, too far to travel) • Fearful of getting lost
of…
Not an Incentive
https://docs.google.com/a/rams.colostate.edu/forms/d/1Av1rCnS9LbLuqXa_prybIlewBZlQbhPwJ4FoAlKf4NM/viewanalytics
10. Please state to what degree the following would serve as an incentive/encouragement for you bicycle or bicycle more often: 7/25/2017
PVMHP Active Living Survey
60
Major Incentive
Somewhat an Incentive
Minor Incentive
Not an Incentive
60
Major Incentive
Somewhat an Incentive
Minor Incentive
Not an Incentive
https://docs.google.com/a/rams.colostate.edu/forms/d/1Av1rCnS9LbLuqXa_prybIlewBZlQbhPwJ4FoAlKf4NM/viewanalytics
40
20
0
e Bik
rey… haarb el nse k i a t Bn /re
are
sh
…ne l…or lic… rso/ rk tedla e eW Pont eec (a n th w t t o n o a sssme e rla h e e s s P r S Lra w e cke ycl bet ) Ha /lo bic rier e lice ers o ted bar e lan w c P o a te ik ss Sh hool Pro t has the b Le Sc tha and r ca
Walking Section
10
5
Less Than Once Week
Once a Week
2-6 Times a Week
Every Day
of… 4/13
Also asked, but responses not shown here, to what degree the following would serve as an incentive/encouragement for you bicycle or bicycle more often: • Less crime • Someone to bicycle with • Less traffic/speeding • More bike paths 4/13 • Weather • Improved health • Learning to ride • Acquiring a bicycle • Access to key destinations (e.g., schools, stores) • Safely entering/exiting your neighborhood • A shower at final destination e A secure place store bicycle or to rim• c ss lock bicycle at final destination Le • If it was more convenient for me to bike • More directional signs to find routes and destinations
11. How many times did you walk/wheel during the past year? What was the average length in miles of the walk/wheel you went on? 15
ul
arf
Fe
2017 COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOP 2017 COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOP AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
The Colorado State University Sustainability Workshop integrates the content of two undergraduate courses in one real-world, problemsolving workshop focused on finding practical and sustainable solutions to community problems. Working together in 2017, interdisciplinary groups of students—most in their first year of study at CSU—and faculty took on projects for Northern Colorado communities, including non-profit organizations and government agencies. Teams of two, three, or four students worked directly with these clients to carry out the projects and write the final reports, which were edited by the workshop coordinators. Workshop Coordinators: Katie Haggstrom (Graduate Teaching Assistant, CSU English Department), Paul Cawood Hellmund (Instructor, CSU School of Global Environmental Sustainability), and Kristie Yelinek, (Instructor, CSU English Department) The 2017 Sustainable Community Fellows are Suleiman Abdulkhaleq, Alex Benitez, Maria Castaneda, Brittany Escobedo, Karina Gonzalez, Silas Harris, Daniela Ornelas, Gia Pizzichini, Jen Platero, Adam Rusch, Monica Solis, Hayden Webb, and Johanna Zapata The workshop is sponsored by three parts of the university: School of Global Environmental Sustainability, English Department, and the Career Center.
T
he Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park comprises 352 homes and includes over 1,800 residents who are predominantly Hispanic. Located just outside the city limits of Fort Collins, Colorado, in Larimer County, the
transportation. Kaiser Permanente, along with several other sponsors, have given the non-profit organization, Bike Fort Collins, a grant to help mobile home park residents get better access to active transportation—biking, walking, and public transit systems. This project addresses the three key aspects of sustainability—ecology, economy, and social equity, which together create opportunities for individual and community health. If residents were to use more active transportation, they could be healthier, which could play a big part in creating a more sustainable community.
2017 COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOP COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
The Colorado State University Sustainability Workshop integrates the content of two undergraduate courses in one real-world, problem-solving workshop focused on finding practical and sustainable solutions to community problems. Working together in 2017, interdisciplinary groups of students—most in their first year of study at CSU—and faculty took on projects for Northern Colorado communities, including non-profit organizations and government agencies. The workshop is sponsored by three parts of the university: School of Global Environmental Sustainability, English Department, and the Career Center.
Photo credits: Front cover: Chris Johnson/Bike Fort Collins; Back: Karina Gonzalez
mobile home park is often overlooked, thus, falling victim to inadequate modes of