Disparities in Bicycle Commuting: Could Bike Lane Investment Widen the Gap?

This article investigates how bicycle commuting relates to bike lane access and sociodemographic advantage at the census block group level across twenty-two large U.S. cities. Using regression models with interaction terms, the study finds that the positive association between bike lane presence and bicycle commuting is stronger in more advantaged areas, while disadvantaged areas show limited cycling even when bike lanes exist. This suggests that bike lane investments alone may inadvertently widen sociodemographic disparities in cycling unless accompanied by efforts addressing non-infrastructure barriers such as financial, environmental, social, and institutional challenges faced by low-income populations and people of color. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating social heterogeneity into planning research and promoting complementary strategies alongside infrastructure to equitably support cycling.