249
Views
1
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Article

Spatial accessibility of bicycle routes in the Quad Cities: impacts for environmental justice

, &
Pages 371-396 | Received 13 May 2020, Accepted 20 Dec 2020, Published online: 18 Feb 2021
 

ABSTRACT

This study uses an environmental justice framework to analyze the population along the Quad Cities’ bikeway network. The sociodemographic profiles of census block groups within 400 metres of a bike route are compared to those outside of 400 metres in order to discern if there is equitable distribution. Using binary logistic regression, four sociodemographic variables – lower-income, minority, short-term residency, and college-educated – were found to significantly increase a census block group’s odds of being within 400 metres of a bike route. Our results suggest little to no environmental injustices are occurring in regard to the spatial accessibility of bike routes in the Quad Cities area, though they may indicate the start of gentrification within these neighbourhoods. The study discusses that the placement of bike routes was not a purposeful act of environmental justice and that to maintain such a status community leaders will need to make a conscious commitment to environmental justice.

Résumé

Cette étude utilise le cadre de la justice environnementale pour analyser la population le long du réseau de pistes cyclables des villes du Quad Cities (Davenport, Iowa; Moline, Illinois; Rock Island, Illinois; Bettendorf, Iowa; East Moline, Illinois). Le profil sociodémographique des groupes de recensement situés à moins de 400 mètres d’une piste cyclable est comparé à celui des groupes situés à plus de 400 mètres de façon à déterminer si la répartition est équitable. Une analyse par régression logistique binaire a permis de déterminer que quatre variables sociodémographiques — faible revenu, minorité, résidence de courte durée, études universitaires — augmentent significativement les chances qu’un groupe de recensement se trouve à moins de 400 mètres d’une piste cyclable. Les résultats suggèrent qu’il existe peu ou pas d’injustice environnementale concernant l’accessibilité physique aux pistes cyclables dans les villes du Quad Cities, bien qu’ils laissent croire à un début d’embourgeoisement. L’étude porte sur le fait que le choix de l’emplacement des pistes cyclables n’est pas un acte délibéré de justice environnementale et que pour conserver ce statut, les dirigeants locaux devront prendre concrètement position à l’égard de la justice environnementale.

Acknowledgments

We thank Bi-State Regional Commission for data on the Quad Cities bikeway network and the Metropolitan Planning Area boundary.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 53.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 231.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.