Integrating Equity Into Bicycle Infrastructure, Planning, and Programming: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Implementation Among Participants in the Bicycle Friendly Community Program

Introduction Integrating equity considerations into bicycle infrastructure, plan-ning, and programming is essential to increase bicycling and re-duce physical inactivity-related health disparities. However, little is known about communities' experiences with activities that pro- mote equity considerations in bicycle infrastructure, planning, and programming or about barriers and facilitators to such considera- tions. The objective of this project was to gain in-depth under- standing of the experiences, barriers, and facilitators that com- munities encounter with integrating equity considerations into bi- cycle infrastructure, planning, and programming. Methods We administered a web-based survey in 2022 to assess communit- ies' experiences with 31 equity-focused activities in 3 areas: 1) community engagement, education, events, and programming (community engagement); 2) data collection, evaluation, and goal setting (data); and 3) infrastructure, facilities, and physical amenit- ies (infrastructure). Respondents were people who represented communities in the US that participated in the League of Americ- an Bicyclists' Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) Program. We then conducted 6 focus groups with a subset of survey respond- ents to explore barriers and facilitators to implementing equity- focused activities. Results Survey respondents (N = 194) had experience with a mean (SD) of 5.9 (5.7) equity-focused activities. Focus group participants (N = 30) identified themes related to community engagement (outreach to and engagement of underrepresented communities, cultural per- ceptions of bicycling, and funding and support for community rides and programs); data (locally relevant data); and infrastruc- ture (political will, community design, and infrastructure). They described barriers and facilitators for each. Conclusion Communities are challenged with integrating equity into bicycle infrastructure, planning, and programming. Multicomponent strategies with support from entities such as the BFC program be required to make progress.