Rochester Bike Share

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Projects: Health Impact

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  • Funding for New York State’s Correctional Education Programs
  • Genesee Valley Greenway
  • Rochester Bike Share
  • Rochester Waterfront Revitalization Plan
Rochester Bike Share
Location Rochester New York
Organization Common Ground Health; Genesee Transportation Council

Common Ground Health selected the Rochester (New York) Bike Share program for an HIA because it experienced rapid expansion during its first year (25 planned stations and 250 bikes became 46 stations and 340 bikes in Phase 1). The study examined the program’s effects on residents’ physical activity, social cohesion, economic well-being, and access to food, as well as its accessibility for low-income residents and those with disabilities. The authors established a baseline demographic and health profile at the census tract level near the 46 stations.

The HIA analyzed chronic disease conditions throughout Rochester and recommended installing new bike stations in census tracts with the highest rates of chronic disease. To make the program more accessible for low-income populations, the HIA proposed offering a range of membership plans and adding a payment option that does not require a smartphone. Findings also supported educating residents on rules of the road, advertising the program, and placing bike stations near grocery stores to improve access to food.

Outcome

In response to the HIA’s recommendations, the bike-share company Pace, which is owned and operated by Zagster Inc., implemented a cash-based system and developed a subsidized membership option of $5 a month for unlimited rides by residents receiving government benefits. In addition, the company is introducing accessible bikes, such as adaptive bicycles and tricycles, to better accommodate individuals with disabilities. Pace is also targeting the communities identified by the HIA as having the highest rates of chronic disease for new bike-share station placement.

More Information

Organization website:

https://www.commongroundhealth.org/

HIA website:

https://www.commongroundhealth.org/bike-share-could-improve-public-health-study-finds

Local news coverage:

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2018/06/19/health-effects-bike-share-rochester-zagster-pace-common-ground-health-genesee-transportation/712044002/

Downloads HIA ReportExecutive Summary
Data Visualization April 29, 2018

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Data Visualization April 29, 2018

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At A Glance
  • Status:
    Completed
  • Publication date:
    2018, June
  • Decision-making levels:
    Local
  • Sectors:
    Community development, Planning and zoning, Transportation
  • Additional topic areas:
    Food and nutrition, Mental/behavioral health, Land-use planning, Redevelopment, Active transportation
  • Drivers of health:
    Diet and physical activity, Access to healthy food, Family and social support, Safe and affordable parks and recreational facilities, Safe and affordable public transit, Safe and accessible active transportation routes, Income and wealth
  • Affected populations:
    Economically disadvantaged, Racial and ethnic minorities, Chronic health conditions, Individuals with disabilities
  • Community types:
    Urban
  • Research methods:
    Quantitative research, Qualitative research, Literature review
  • Funding source:
    Other funding
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