GIS-Based Equity Gap Analysis: Case Study of Baltimore Bike Share Program

Abstract

As more cities adopt bike share systems, questions regarding equity, accessibility, expansion, and bikability arise. Baltimore City implemented bike share in 2016 with plans to expand it up to 57 stations. This paper introduces a new methodology for an equity-based planning analysis which help minimize segregation and marginalization in planning practices. The proposed geographic methodology incorporates a modified population density-based bike equity index and develops a level of traffic stress index to prioritize bikeshare infrastructure. This study provides a parallel prioritization scheme for implementing bikeshare and supporting cycling infrastructure.