Community and Local Government Partnership to Improve Bikeability in a Small South Carolina City Janet R. Wojcik, Ph.D1., Susan Collier, M.S., R.D., L.D2, Thomas Bell, B.S3., George Davis4, Francis Rizzo4, Brianne Gemeinhardt, M.S1. 1Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC, 2South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, 3City of Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism, 1, 2, 3Eat Smart Move More York County, 4Rock Hill Bicycle Club. Sponsor: Melanie Poudevigne, Ph.D., FACSM Email: wojcikj@winthrop.edu
Abstract Rock Hill is diverse, growing city of 62,000 residents in the upstate of South Carolina (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006), and home to a regional state university with 6,500 students. Improving biking and pedestrian access are part of the City’s 2020 Master Plan and an economic development initiative for a ―college town‖ atmosphere (www.collegetownrockhill.com). PURPOSE: To develop and perform community-wide surveys of citizens and road cyclists on bikeability in Rock Hill, SC and to assist the City of Rock Hill with priorities for placement of sharrows, ―Share the Road‖ signs, and dedicated bike lanes. METHODS: Surveys (13 questions) for citizens and road cyclists were developed using the National Highway Transportation and Safety Commission Bikeability Checklist (www.nhtsa.gov), Bikeability Toolkit (Travelsmart Australia, 2006), and tailored for local content validity through the City of Rock Hill, Rock Hill Bicycle Club, and members of Eat Smart Move More York County community coalition. Surveys were circulated over a three-month period in hard copy at cycling-related events, local bicycle shops, and electronically through the Bike Rock Hill webpage and community and campus listservs. All data, including hard copies, were entered in an online survey database. RESULTS: Responses were n=113 for citizens and n=124 for road cyclists. There were no differences in age groups responding (p = .173). On the citizens survey, 89.4% responded ―Yes‖ to ―I would ride my bike more often if conditions were safer‖ (χ2 (1) = 70.1, p = .000). More road cyclists reported being mistreated by motorists (80% vs. 55%, Z = -3.538, p = .000). There were no differences in ratings of road conditions with 65% in both groups rating ―very poor‖ and ―poor‖ (Z = 1.602, p = .109). Roads suggested for bike lanes, sharrows, or ―Share the Road‖ signs were mostly in the downtown or campus area. CONCLUSIONS: Both citizens and road cyclists desire improvements such as sharrows, dedicated bike lanes, ―Share the Road‖ signs, better connectivity, improved road conditions, and better education and relationships with motorists. Findings will be used to guide City policy decisions and application towards a Bicycle-Friendly Community
Survey Question
Participants
• Adults 18 and older •N= 113 for Citizens Survey •N = 124 for Road Cyclists Survey • Variety of age groups responding; no differences between surveys (p = .173) Instruments
• Surveys developed based on National Highway Transportation and Safety Commission Bikeability Checklist (www.nhtsa.gov) and checklists from the Bikeability Toolkit (Travelsmart Australia, 2006). •Questions were tailored for local relevance. •Content validity was determined by a panel of experts from the City of Rock Hill, Rock Hill Bicycle Club, and members of Eat Smart Move More York County community coalition. •Each survey was brief at 13 multiple-choice questions, including demographic data, plus space for open-ended comments.
Citizens
Have you ever been mistreated by a motorist? (check all that apply) (Z = -3.538, p = .000)
No –45.2% Car rode too close when passing –46.1% Verbally harassed –27.0% Drove too fast—25.2% Cut me off –27.0% Threw an object—12.2%
No –20.0% Car rode too close when passing –74.2% Verbally harassed –54.2% Drove too fast—50.8% Cut me off –43.3% Threw an object—20.8%
How would you rate overall road conditions in Rock Hill and York County? (Z = -1.602, p = .109)
Very Poor—25.0% Poor—40.2% Satisfactory—32.1% Good—32.1% Excellent—0%
Very Poor—21.3% Poor—44.3% Satisfactory—23.8% Good—8.2% Excellent—2.5%
How could Rock Hill become more bike-friendly? (check all that apply)
Add bike lanes or sharrows—91.3% More multi-use trails—79.1% ―Share the Road‖ signs—57.4% Place to park bikes—50.4% Educate motorists—53.9% Decrease speed limits—23.5% Educate riders—27.8% Other—14.8%
Add bike lanes or sharrows—94.2% Better connectivity—69.4% Education for bikes, motorists, & police— 54.5% ―Share the Road‖ signs—53.9% Other—25.6%
Event Photos
Conclusions
The Mayor’s Ride
Both citizens and road cyclists desire improvements such as sharrows, dedicated bike lanes, ―Share the Road‖ signs, better connectivity, improved road conditions, and better education and relationships with motorists. Findings are being used to guide City policy decisions and application towards a Bicycle-Friendly Community.
Background and Purpose
Rock Hill is a diverse, growing city of 62,000 in the Upstate of South Carolina, considered part of the Charlotte, NC, MSA. Recent initiatives include: •Marketing the downtown historic district as a destination for entertainment, family-related events •Farmers’ market and local foods (www.onlyinoldtown.com) • Linkage with the campus community as a ―college town‖ atmosphere (www.collegetownrockhill.com).
Improving biking and pedestrian access are part of the City’s 2020 Master Plan approved Fall 2010. No dedicated bike lanes currently exist within city or county limits. Therefore, there was a need to assess current bikeability to help guide the plan, and Bike Rock Hill was formed.. TEMPLATE DESIGN © 2008
www.PosterPresentations.com
Procedures
•Surveys circulated over a 3-month period Spring 2010 •Electronic listervs through campus, community, Bike Rock Hill website •Hard copies and flyers at local bicycle shops and cycling events •All data entered in Survey Monkey, including hard copies •Imported to Excel •SPSS descriptive and non-parametric analyses
Bike Rock Hill continues to support biking and pedestrian initiatives through an ACHIEVE grant funded by the CDC and National Parks and Recreation Association New Bicycle Racks at City Hall designed by Winthrop Fine Arts Students
Citizens Survey Result Only
89.4% responded “Yes” to ―I would ride my bike more often if conditions were safer‖ (χ2 (1) = 70.1, p = .000).
Road Cyclists
Bicycle Rodeo
Acknowledgments
Supported by Eat Smart Move More South Carolina, Communities in Balance: Balancing InTake and Energy Expenditure (BITE) grant