Bicycle Access & Use in
Black and Hispanic Communities

Research on identifying barriers to bicycling has become popular over the past decade. However, few studies have been conducted on barriers and solutions that are unique to bicycle use among Blacks and Hispanics. Charles Brown of Equitable Cities, served as a senior researcher/principal investigator with the New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center (NJ BPRC) in this study to ascertain barriers to and identify solutions to bicycle use among Black and Hispanic bicyclists and non-bicyclists. Primary data collection methods consisted of intercept surveys of pedestrians in thirty-four geographically and topographically diverse municipalities in New Jersey and focus groups with exclusively Black and Hispanic participants.

The objective was to document bicycling perceptions and habits among Black and Hispanic populations in New Jersey and to identify potential initiatives to promote bicycling. Studying bicycling habits and perceptions in Black and Hispanic communities is important for several reasons such as providing exercise opportunities, less automobile congestion and pollution, and an affordable form of transportation.