What Keeps Bikes off the Road?
(A Kentucky Study)

Thanks to Jackie Green for this summary report.

KIPDA, in preparation of the Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan circulated a questionnaire to the public of Bullitt, Jefferson & Oldham Counties. One of the questions asked was the following:

What discourages you most from using your bicycle? Please choose only one?
Automobile traffic and speed
Condition of roads and bikeways, i.e.: potholes, glass debris
Length of trip to destination Lack of bicycle facilities, such as bike racks, bike lockers
Inconvenience due to multiple destination points/bike limitations, i.e. children, passengers, groceries
Other

Please specify.

The responses were telling.
Bullitt:
25% Automobile traffic and speed
19% Condition of roads and bikeways
8% Lack of bicycle facilities
2% Length of trip to destination

Oldham:
32% Automobile traffic and speed
10% Condition of roads and bikeways
8% Lack of bicycle facilities
2% Length of trip to destination

Jefferson:
44% Automobile traffic and speed
14% Condition of roads and bikeways
1% Length of trip to destination

Information source: KIPDA Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan, 1998

Durwood Edwards:
I imagine the results of survey such as this in Nashville would be quite similar. I also tend to think that most residents would think that there is nothing that can be done about autombile traffic, because "that's what the roads are for"! I disagree, and the attitude that the only "legitimate traffic" is motorized traffic, is one of the prime reasons we need a healthy Walk/Bike organization.