Inviting Innovation to the Marriage Between Bicycles and Buses

Map Created by: Rosa G. Guillen-Sanchez, Data Source: Census ACS 5 Year Estimates 2008-2012

Inviting Innovation to the Marriage Between Bicycles and Buses Recommendations for improving bicycle-bus integration in Orange County

INTRODUCTION Bicycling and transit are two vital modes of transportation for people who do not own a car, and for those who want alternatives to driving. These modes of transportation become even more important for low-income people who live in suburbs, like Orange County, where unlike urban areas, many origins and destinations are far apart, and it is often difficult to substitute bicycling or transit use with walking. A strong marriage between bicycling and bus transit can provide great health, environmental, congestion mitigation, and economic benefits for individuals and communities. For instance, bicycling is a low-cost, low polluting mode of travel that encourages more active, healthy living, and it is a mode that does not add to traffic congestion, which is a growing problem in Orange County. In addition, bus transit is often times the second-best alternative for low-income persons who do not own a car, but have to travel long distances. The goal of my project is to give guidelines and recommendations to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) on how to best allocate resources to facilitate bicycle-bus integration for existing and potential cycle-transit users.

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS Priority Routes for Bicycle Parking

57%

100% Bus Racks

Cycling Classes

44%

59% Folding Bikes

Bike Share

86%

46%

Bikeways

Attended Bike Parking

QUESTIONS 1. Where and what kinds of bicycle facilities and services would facilitate bicycle-bus integration for current and potential cycle-transit users in Orange County? 2. How can OCTA increase awareness of existing bicycle facilities and services, and how can the agency facilitate public participation in bicycle planning? 3. How can OCTA best allocate resources to improve bicycle-bus integration for transit-dependent users in Orange County?

METHODS GIS Analysis

1 2 3

• Analyze the demographic geography of Orange County, with a focus on northern Orange County, to identify transit dependency and location of potential utility cycle-transit users • Use OCTA’s bike pass-by data and bike boardings data to identify possible high demand locations for bicycle parking around Orange County

Interviews

• Interview cycle-transit users and pedestrians waiting at bus stops and riding buses around northern Orange County to get a sense of which bicycle facilities and services would be most beneficial • Ask current transit users what communication methods are most convinient and effective for them

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Map Created by: Rosa G. Guillen-Sanchez, Data Source: OCTA (November 2013-February 2014)

64% Bike Lockers

i

86% Information

• Using Census data, identified high priority areas for improvements in bicycle-transit integration • Using OCTA’s bike pass-by data, identified areas with possible demand for bicycle parking • Through interviews, identified types of desired bicycle services and infrastructure

• Interviews revealed that transit users are generally unfamiliar with folding bikes, bike share, and bike station services, suggesting a need for improved awareness and outreach methods

DISCUSSION & NEXT STEPS • OCTA can strengthen bicycle-bus integration in Orange County by using a combination of traditional and innovative methods • By implementing a variety of methods, OCTA can better provide transportation options for the diversity of people living, working, and/or attending school in Orange County • A cost-effectiveness analysis would help determine adequate investment amounts for different bike-and-bus improvement options, such as bike parking and folding bike programs • Learning from California cities who have implemented subsidized folding bike programs could help OCTA launch a successful pilot program • OCTA and OC cities can better meet people’s transportation needs by getting the public involved through focus groups, community meetings, and bicycle education programs • More investment in active transportation and local transit projects is necessary to adequately be able to plan for, implement and improve bike-and-bus integration in Orange County

• Investigate different folding bike programs throughout California, to provide OCTA with insight about potential costs and benefits that would result after implementation Master’s Candidate: Rosa G. Guillen-Sanchez Client: Orange County Transportation Authority Faculty Chair: Martin Wachs, Project Advisor Ryan Snyder Graduate Advisor: Rui Wang

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