Equity Resources

All Little Rock residents should have the opportunity to move about our city independently, conveniently, and safely.  When our street network only serves drivers, it disenfranchises some residents in ways that might not be intuitive.  See below for references that consider economic, racial, and age equity issues related to bicycle and pedestrian transportation.

Imagine Central Arkansas 2014
Economic:  Transportation costs are not affordable in our region (Fig. 4-11).  Spatial poverty patterns (Fig. 4-15) match spatial patterns of zero vehicle households (Fig. 4-21, pg. 57); resources to create transportation options (Fig. 4-16) should be focused in these areas.

Age:  Our population is getting older (Fig. 4-2, Table 4-4).  An older population needs more diversity in transportation choices for independence.  At the same time, we have a higher proportion of millennials than the national average; millennials tend to prefer urban lifestyles and mass transit options (pg. 39).

The New Majority - Pedaling Toward Equity
Race, age, economic (and health):  Ridership in the U.S. is most rapidly increasing in African-American, Hispanic, and Asian communities, but bicycle crashes disproportionately affect these communities nationally.

Building Equity 2015
Race, ethnicity, class, and protected bike lanes: An idea book for fairer cities.

Pedestrian/Bicyclist Crash Analysis 2015
Race:  Bicycle and pedestrian crashes disproportionately affect minorities in Central Arkansas as well (Figures 8 and 9).  

Equitable Bike Share Means Building Better Places for People to Ride 2016
This NACTO report considers the important relationships between bike share, rider safety, on-street bicycle facilities, and ridership.

Your Driving Costs (AAA)
Economic:  The annual cost of owning and operating an automobile is between $7,500 and and $12,000 depending on vehicle model and annual miles traveled.  

Pedaling to Prosperity
Economic:  The annual cost of owning and operating a bicycle is $308.  However, the opportunities Recycle Bikes for Kids provides makes bike ownership virtually free for Little Rock residents.  Of course, walking has a nominal annual cost.

Rock Region Metro
Economic: Monthly Rock Region Metro passes cost $36/month (or less) or $432/year (or less).  

Census Bureau Median Family Income By Family Size
Economic:  Arkansas is the second poorest state in the nation, with a median income of $39,155/year.  Given the cost of car ownership above, not all families can afford one or more automobiles to fulfill their transportation needs.  Safe and convenient BikePed and mass transit options are important to give all Little Rock residents independent mobility options.