Thesis (M.R.C.P.)--Kansas State University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-114). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.R.C.P.)--Kansas State University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-114).

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-105). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

xi, 43 p. : ill. (some col.) A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Car use has become the dominant form of transportation, contributing to the health, environmental, and sprawl issues our nation is facing. Alternative modes of transport within urban environments are viable options in alleviating many of these problems. This thesis looks the habits and trends of bicyclists along the Midtown Greenway, a bicycle/pedestrian pathway that runs through Minneapolis, Minnesota and questions whether implementing non-auto throughways has encouraged bicyclists to bike further and to more destinations since its completion in 2006. The methods used to gather data were in-person five-minute surveys given to bicyclists, and analysis of existing data provided by non-profit organizations. Results included mapping each surveyed trip to see taken routes as well as qualitative and quantitative answers. Answers varied, but overall, it seemed that both commuting and leisure riders have increased their trips and distance within Minneapolis since completion of the path, advocating for off-street routes within the city. / Committee in Charge: Dr. Jean Stockard; Dr. Marc Schlossberg, AICP; Lisa Peterson-Bender, AICP

United States bicycle commuting rates are low compared to similarly developed countries like the Netherlands and Denmark. However, bicycle commuting shows promise for positive health outcomes, especially those related to chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Little research has been conducted in the U.S. to study the association between bicycle commuting and heart disease. Furthermore, U.S. cities need guidance on how to increase bicycle commuting rates. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between U.S. bicycle commuting rates and heart disease prevalence and to identify infrastructure and policy factors most significantly associated with bicycle commuting rates in large U.S. cities. This research quantitatively defined infrastructure and policy factors and analyzed ecologic associations across the 50 most populous U.S. cities. The results of this study are based on an ecologic analysis that evaluated associations at the census tract and city levels. Secondary data from nine sources as used to conduct the analysis. Data sources include the League of American Bicyclists Benchmarking Report, PeopleForBikes bicycle network analysis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, and more. A principal components analysis was conducted to identify relevant infrastructure factors for research question one; ordinary least squares regression models were derived to compare associations between infrastructure and policy factors for research question two, and latent class cluster analysis was conducted to calculate the prevalence odds ratios of the association between bicycle commuting rate and heart disease for research question three. Three factors accounted for 70% of the variation in bicycle commuting rates. Those three factors include the average number of cyclist fatalities, the number of city employees working on bicycle projects, and bicycle network connections to public transit. The results also show that the association between bicycle commuting rate and heart disease prevalence was only statistically significant in census tract populations with predominantly high socioeconomic status, low health risk factors, and white race. The ecologic study design likely masked any positive health outcomes in populations with low socioeconomic status. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for transportation and public health practitioners, and the conclusions set the stage for future research on cycling and chronic disease outcomes in the United States. / Doctor of Philosophy / In the U.S., about 1% of the population bicycle commutes to work. Bicycle commuting is uncommon in the U.S. because many people feel it is not a safe or practical form of transportation. However, several U.S. organizations are working to make roadways safer for cyclists. Some of these organizations include The League of American Bicyclists (LAB), PeopleForBikes (PFB), and Smart Growth America (SGA). The LAB has awarded nearly 500 towns and cities with a bicycle-friendly community award, while PFB has created tools to help urban planners examine bicycle networks in their communities. SGA also helps create bicycle-friendly cities by working with elected officials to advocate for policies that will make roadways safer for cyclists. LAB, PFB, and SGA all collect data as part of their work to learn what U.S. communities are doing to support cycling. I used LAB, PFB, and SGA data to determine the most important factors for bicycle-friendliness in the 50 largest U.S. cities. I evaluated the impact of 14 factors, including, but not limited to, protected bike lanes, network connectedness, and bicycle-friendly policy. I found that three factors had the strongest association with bicycle commuting rates in large U.S. cities: network connections to public transit, the number of city employees working on bicycle projects, and the number of deaths from cyclist fatalities. Cities looking to increase bicycle commuting should use these results to focus their efforts on improving public transit networks, increasing the number of work hours spent on bicycle projects, and identifying strategies to reduce cyclist fatalities. U.S. cities should work towards improving bicycle-friendliness because of the population health benefits. In the past 20 years, the percentage of Americans with obesity has increased by 40%, and the percentage of Americans with Type 2 diabetes has doubled. Multiple factors contribute to obesity and diabetes, including bicycle commuting, which has been associated with decreases in both obesity and diabetes. Bicycle commuting may also be associated with heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S., but more research is needed. In the second part of this study, I evaluated the relationship between bicycle commuting rate and the percentage of Americans living with heart disease. I used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Census Bureau to understand the association between bicycle commuting and heart disease in 50 U.S. cities. I analyzed the data by census tract to understand health outcomes at a population level. I found that the association between bicycle commuting and heart disease was only significant in census tracts that were predominately high-income. I also found that bicycle commuting rates in high-income populations were three times greater than in low-income populations. In other words, health benefits were not visible in low-income populations because of low bicycle commuting rates. Low-income populations have higher rates of obesity and diabetes and would benefit the most from bicycle commuting, yet these populations confront several barriers to cycling. Cities interested in improving bicycle-friendliness should work to engage low-income populations in their work.

M. Tech. Civil Engineering / Integration of transport modes is essential to achieving a sustainable transport system. Sustainable transport is one that is accessible, safe, environmentally friendly, and affordable. The integration of non-motorized transport into the mainstream of public transport of any city enhances the whole transportation system. The study was set out to provide ways of improving transport by integration of non-motorized transport into the mainstream of public transport of the Ga-Rankuwa - Rosslyn transport corridor in the City of Tshwane, with the aim of introducing cycling as a feeder mode to public transport

Background: The Active Commuting Route Environment Scale (ACRES) was developed to study active commuters’ perceptions of their route environments. The overall aims were to assess the measuring properties of the ACRES and study active bicycle commuters’ perceptions of their commuting route environments. Methods: Advertisement- and street-recruited bicycle commuters from Greater Stockholm, Sweden, responded to the ACRES. Expected differences between inner urban and suburban route environments were used to assess criterion-related validity, together with ratings from an assembled expert panel as well as existing objective measures. Reliability was assessed as test-retest reproducibility. Comparisons of ratings between advertisement- and street-recruited participants were used for assessments of representativity. Ratings of inner urban and suburban route environments were used to evaluate commuting route environment profiles. Simultaneous multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the relation between the outcome variable: whether the route environment hinders or stimulates bicycle-commuting and environmental predictors, such as levels of exhaust fumes, speeds of traffic and greenery, in inner urban areas. Results: The ACRES was characterized by considerable criterion-related validity and reasonable test-retest reproducibility. There was a good correspondence between the advertisement- and street-recruited participants’ ratings. Distinct differences in commuting route environment profiles between the inner urban and suburban areas were noted. Suburban route environments were rated as safer and more stimulating for bicycle-commuting. Beautiful, green and safe route environments seem to be, independently of each other, stimulating factors for bicycle-commuting in inner urban areas. On the other hand, high levels of exhaust fumes and traffic congestion, as well as low ‘directness’ of the route, seem to be hindering factors. Conclusions: The ACRES is useful for assessing bicyclists’ perceptions of their route environments. A number of environmental factors related to the route appear to be stimulating or hindering for bicycle commuting. The overall results demonstrate a complex research area at the beginning of exploration. / BAKGRUND: Färdvägsmiljöer kan tänkas påverka människors fysiskt aktiva arbetspendling och därmed bidra till bättre folkhälsa. Studier av färdvägsmiljöer är därför önskvärda för att öka förståelsen kring möjliga samband mellan fysiskt aktiv arbetspendling och färdvägsmiljöer. En enkät, ”The Active Commuting Route Environment Scale” (ACRES), har därför skapats i syfte att studera fysiskt aktiva arbetspendlares upplevelser av sina färdvägsmiljöer. Huvudsyftet med denna avhandling var dels att studera enkätens psykometriska egenskaper i form av validitet och reliabilitet, dels att studera arbetspendlande cyklisters upplevelser av sina färdvägsmiljöer. METODER: Arbetspendlande cyklister från Stor-Stockholm rekryterades via tidningsannonsering och via direkt kontakt i anslutning till färdvägen. Deltagarna besvarade enkäten ACRES. Tillsammans med skattningar från en grupp av experter och redan existerande objektiva mått användes förväntade skillnader mellan färdvägsmiljöer i inner- och ytterstaden för att studera kriterierelaterad validitet. Reliabiliteten studerades som reproducerbarhet via upprepade mätningar (test-retest). Jämförelser mellan skattningar av deltagare rekryterade via annonsering och via direkt kontakt i färdvägsmiljöer användes för att studera representativitet. Skattningar av färdvägsmiljöer i inner- och ytterstaden användes vidare för att studera färdvägsmiljöprofiler. Multipel linjär regressionsanalys användes även för att studera sambandet mellan utfallsvariabeln huruvida färdvägsmiljön motverkar eller stimulerar arbetspendling med cykel och miljöprediktorer, såsom avgasnivåer, trafikens hastighet och grönska, i innerstadsmiljöer. RESULTAT: Enkäten ACRES visade god kriterierelaterad validitet och rimlig reproducerbarhet. Det var en god överrensstämmelse mellan skattningar av deltagare rekryterade via annonsering och via direkt kontakt. Färdvägsmiljöprofilerna visade tydliga skillnader mellan inner- och ytterstadsmiljöer. Ytterstadens färdvägsmiljöer skattades som tryggare och mer stimulerande för arbetspendling med cykel än innerstadens färdvägsmiljöer. Vidare verkar vackra, gröna och trygga färdvägsmiljöer, oberoende av varandra, vara stimulerade faktorer för arbetspendling med cykel i innerstadsmiljöer. Däremot verkar höga avgasnivåer, höga trängselnivåer och färdvägar som kräver många riktningsändringar vara motverkande faktorer. SLUTSATSER: Enkäten ACRES är ett användbart instrument vid mätningar av cyklisters upplevelser av sina färdvägsmiljöer. Ett antal faktorer relaterade till färdvägsmiljön verkar vara stimulerande respektive motverkande för arbetspendling med cykel. Generellt sett på visar resultaten ett relativt outforskat och komplext forskningsområde. / <p>Örebro universitet, Hälsoakademin</p> / FAAP

Klimatfrågan har kommit i allt större fokus under de senaste decennierna eftersom människor blivit allt mer medvetna om utsläpp av fossila bränslens påverkan på miljön. Globaliseringen skapar även trängsel i trafiken, eftersom det blir ett ökat tryck i de växande städerna. Både i nationella, regionala och lokala planer har frågan tagits upp och även i företags styrdokument är miljöfrågan i fokus.   Resan mellan arbete och bostad är en resa som utförs varje dag och kan planeras i stor utsträckning. Orsaker till människors val av färdsätt är både psykiska och fysiska men även av praktiska skäl. Denna studie riktar sig till fyra större arbetsplatser i Gävle. Gävle kommun, Gävle sjukhus, Högskolan i Gävle samt Lantmäteriet vilka alla har tydliga cykelstråk till och från Gävle centrum. Dessa arbetsplatser ligger inom en radie av två km från Gävle centrum, vilket utgör ett rimligt avstånd för de anställda att använda cykel istället för bil.    Syftet är att komma fram till ett resultat som visar anledningar och beteenden som kan påverkas och förändras till att pendla med cykel istället för att använda bilen. Ett ökat cykelanvändande leder till minskade utsläpp och mindre trängsel i städerna. Det ger även de anställda ett hälsosammare liv i form av daglig motion vilket i sin tur minskar sjukdomar och frånvaro. Det ger en ekonomisk vinst för både företagen och även de anställdas privata ekonomi.   Fyra intervjuer med arbetsgivare och lika många med anställda har genomförts för att ge en djupgående bild av intervjupersonernas åsikter. 405 anställda uppdelat på fyra arbetsplatser har genomfört en webbaserad enkät för att ge en generell bild av de anställdas åsikter. Denna data har sammanställts för att skapa en rekommendation för vad arbetsgivarna kan påverka hos de anställda i deras val av färdmedel.     Resultatet av studien visar att det finns både utrymme för förbättringar med underhåll av cykelvägnätet i Gävle och även i arbetsgivarnas arbete med att tillgodose arbetsplatserna med rätt utrustning. Störst påverkan ligger i att informera och motivera de anställda om fördelarna och förbättra attityden till cykling, eftersom styrdokumenten är övergripande och inte tillräckligt specifika räcker inte informationen i dessa. / The climate issue has come into focus in recent decades, as people have become more aware of the emissions of fossil fuels on the environment. Globalization also creates congestion, because there will be increased pressure in the growing cities. Both in national, regional and local plans, the issue has been raised and even in corporate governance documents comes the environmental issue into focus.   The trip between work and home is performed daily and can be planned extensively. People choose a means of travel for both mental, physical and practical reasons. This study is aimed at four major workplaces in Gävle: Gävle kommun, Gävle Hospital, the University of Gävle and Lantmäteriet. All workplaces have clear cycle routes to and from Gävle’s city center and all are within a radius of two kilometers from the city’s center, which is a reasonable distance for employees to bike rather than drive.   The goal of this study is to identify the reasons and behaviors that influence decisions to commute by bicycle rather than by car. Increased bicycle use leads to lower emissions and less congestion in the cities. It also gives the employees a healthier life in the form of daily exercise, which in turn reduces illness and absence. It provides an economic benefit for both companies, and also the employees' private economy.   Four interviews with employers and an equal number of employees has been implemented to provide an in-depth picture of interviewees' opinions. 405 employees of the four workplaces were asked to complete a web-based survey about commuting behavior and attitudes. This data has been compiled and recommendations developed to guide employers about how they can influence employee´s transportation choice. The results of the study show that there is both room for Gävle to improve the route network maintenance and for employers' to provide the workplace with the right equipment. The greatest impact is to inform and motivate employees about the benefits of cycling. The company policies treat the subject but are too general and employees are not familiar with their contents.