University bicycle programming capacity for underrepresented student populations: Pedaling toward equitable opportunities

Abstract

Purpose: Universities and colleges play a major role in facilitating the behaviors of students into adulthood. Active travel (AT; walking or bicycling for transportation) can provide substantial health benefits, though inequities among bicycling are shown in many underserved populations (racial/ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ+, disabled, low-income). This study aimed to understand universities’ capacity for underserved populations programming on campuses. Methods: Representatives from U.S. universities/colleges participated in an online survey which addressed basic information about university demographics/culture, common barriers and desired tools to reaching underserved students, priorities, and important outcomes. Results: University respondents (n = 51) indicated a lack of programming and implementation of strategies to reach underserved campus populations. Typically, universities ranked equity as a low priority and limited strategies for promoting bicycling reached/targeted underserved populations. Conclusion: There is a notable lack of programs and strategies to engage underserved populations on campus that should be addressed to better serve student health outcomes.

Keywords:

• Active travel
• bicycling
• health equity
• health promotion
• physical activity
• underserved populations

Data availability

The data will not be provided to the public, for inquiries please contact the corresponding author.

Conflict of interest disclosure

All authors state that there are no conflicts of interest to disclose. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States of America and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of The Pennsylvania State University.

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.