Cycling Past 50: a Closer Look Into the World of Older Cyclists Carol Kachadoorian
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Project 2112 April 2021 Cycling Past 50: A Closer Look into the World of Older Cyclists Carol Kachadoorian transweb.sjsu.edu MINETA TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE dbltildecollaborative.com MINETA TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE MTI FOUNDER Hon. Norman Y. Mineta Founded in 1991, the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI), an organized research and training unit in partnership with the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business at San José State University (SJSU), increases mobility for all by improving the safety, MTI BOARD OF TRUSTEES efficiency, accessibility, and convenience of our nation’s transportation system. Through research, education, workforce development, and technology transfer, we help create a connected world. MTI leads the Mineta Consortium for Transportation Mobility (MCTM) Founder, Honorable Grace Crunican** Diane Woodend Jones Takayoshi Oshima Norman Mineta* Owner Principal & Chair of Board Chairman & CEO funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the California State University Transportation Consortium (CSUTC) funded by Secretary (ret.), Crunican LLC Lea + Elliott, Inc. Allied Telesis, Inc. the State of California through Senate Bill 1. MTI focuses on three primary responsibilities: US Department of Transportation Donna DeMartino David S. Kim* Paul Skoutelas* Chair, Managing Director Secretary President & CEO Abbas Mohaddes Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis California State Transportation American Public Transportation President & COO Obispo Rail Corridor Agency Agency (CALSTA) Association (APTA) Econolite Group Inc. Nuria Fernandez** Therese McMillan Beverley Swaim-Staley Research Information and Technology Transfer Vice Chair, General Manager & CEO Executive Director President MTI conducts multi-disciplinary research focused on surface MTI utilizes a diverse array of dissemination methods and Will Kempton Santa Clara Valley Metropolitan Transportation Union Station Redevelopment Executive Director Transportation Authority (VTA) Commission (MTC) Corporation transportation that contributes to effective decision making. media to ensure research results reach those responsible Sacramento Transportation Authority Research areas include: active transportation; planning and policy; for managing change. These methods include publication, John Flaherty Bradley Mims Jim Tymon* security and counterterrorism; sustainable transportation and seminars, workshops, websites, social media, webinars, Executive Director, Senior Fellow President & CEO Executive Director Karen Philbrick, PhD* Silicon Valley American Conference of Minority American Association of land use; transit and passenger rail; transportation engineering; and other technology transfer mechanisms. Additionally, Mineta Transportation Institute Leadership Form Transportation Officials (COMTO) State Highway and Transportation transportation finance; transportation technology; and MTI promotes the availability of completed research to San José State University Officials (AASHTO) William Flynn * Jeff Morales workforce and labor. MTI research publications undergo expert professional organizations and works to integrate the Winsome Bowen President & CEO Managing Principal Larry Willis* peer review to ensure the quality of the research. research findings into the graduate education program. Chief Regional Transportation Amtrak InfraStrategies, LLC President Strategy Transportation Trades MTI’s extensive collection of transportation-related Facebook Rose Guilbault Dan Moshavi, PhD* Dept., AFL-CIO Board Member Dean, Lucas College and Education and Workforce Development publications is integrated into San José State University’s David Castagnetti Peninsula Corridor Graduate School of Business * = Ex-Officio To ensure the efficient movement of people and products, we world-class Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. Co-Founder Joint Powers Board San José State University ** = Past Chair, Board of Trustees must prepare a new cohort of transportation professionals Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas Ian Jefferies* Toks Omishakin* who are ready to lead a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable President & CEO Director transportation industry. To help achieve this, MTI sponsors a suite Maria Cino Association of American Railroads California Department of Vice President Transportation (Caltrans) of workforce development and education opportunities. The America & U.S. Government Institute supports educational programs offered by the Lucas Relations Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Graduate School of Business: a Master of Science in Transportation Management, plus graduate certificates that include High-Speed and Intercity Rail Management and Transportation Security Management. These flexible programs offer live online classes Directors so that working transportation professionals can pursue an advanced degree regardless of their location. Karen Philbrick, PhD Executive Director Hilary Nixon, PhD Deputy Executive Director Asha Weinstein Agrawal, PhD Education Director National Transportation Finance Center Director Brian Michael Jenkins National Transportation Security Disclaimer Center Director The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the information presented herein. This document is disseminated in the interest of information exchange. MTI’s research is funded, partially or entirely, by grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the California Department of Transportation, and the California State University Office of the Chancellor, whom assume no liability for the contents or use thereof. This report does not constitute a standard specification, design standard, or regulation. REPORT 21-09 CYCLING PAST 50: A CLOSER LOOK INTO THE WORLD OF OLDER CYCLISTS Carol Kachadoorian April 2021 A publication of Mineta Transportation Institute Created by Congress in 1991 College of Business San José State University San José, CA 95192-0219 TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE 1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient’s Catalog No. 21-10 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date Cycling Past 50: A Closer Look into the World of Older Cyclists April 2021 6. Performing Organization Code 7. Authors 8. Performing Organization Report Carol Kachadoorian CA-MTI-2112 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. Mineta Transportation Institute College of Business 11. Contract or Grant No. San José State University 69A3551747127 San José, CA 95192-0219 12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered U.S. Department of Transportation Final Report Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology University Transportation Centers Program 14. Sponsoring Agency Code 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 15. Supplemental Notes DOI: 10.31979/mti.2021.2112 16. Abstract This document reports on 2,300 responses to a nationwide survey of older adults who cycle. The survey, open from February through September 2020, includes questions about a rider’s cycling history, current cycling habits, and falls. It includes a visual preference survey of various cycling facilities and an online journaling option for two rides subsequent to completing the survey (results of the online journals will be available in the summer 2021). Responses reflect the impact of COVID-19 on older adults’ cycling habits, the impact of aging on ability and agility, the impact of the built environment, types of bicycles, and opportunities to cycle with others. Responses were analyzed by gender and age. Questions such as cycling frequency and falls were compared to a modified version of Geller’s four types of cyclists. Key take-aways include: Many older adults will need to adapt to their changing cycling abilities with a different bicycle, a different expectation about their cycling experience, and local programs to encourage sustained cycling. A fair number of respondents learned to cycle as an adult which suggests that local programs can also encourage older adults to learn to ride and how to select a bicycle. Lower cycling rates may result from not having a bikeable or proper-fitting bicycle, or the money to fix or purchase a bike. Questions posed for further consideration include: Can education and outreach help reduce near misses? Can planning and engineering help reduce near misses, especially in areas where more older adults cycle? How can falls due to poor infrastructure or maintenance or the actions of others be reduced? 17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement Bicycling, older adults, surveys No restrictions. This document is available to the public through The National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161 19. Security Classif. (of this report) 20. Security Classif. (of this page) 21. No. of Pages 22. Price Unclassified Unclassified 85 Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Copyright © 2021 by Mineta Transportation Institute All rights reserved DOI: 10.31979/mti.2021.2112 Mineta Transportation Institute College of Business San José State University San José, CA 95192-0219 Tel: (408) 924-7560 Fax: (408) 924-7565 Email: [email protected] transweb.sjsu.edu 042021 iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author would like to thank everyone who responded to the survey; Danielle Arigoni and Melissa Stanton from AARP’s Livable Communities program for distributing the survey; Christine Lee of Cal Media Consulting for report layout assistance; Tony Hull of Civil Streets and Kristin Gladwin from Florida State University for their review and guidance; and MTI staff,