Citation

Houde M, Apparicio P, Séguin AM. J. Transp. Geogr. 2018; 68: 9-21.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2018.02.005

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

It is widely agreed today that the existence of a network of bicycle paths fosters a feeling of safety as well as the use of the bicycle for both recreational and utilitarian purposes. Recent studies have found a link between the presence of cycling infrastructures and gentrification. Few studies have however examined the growth of the cycling networks from the perspective of environmental equity. The main objective of this study is to determine whether the extension of the cycling network in the urban areas of Montreal and Longueuil and the city of Laval over a quarter of a century (1991 to 2016) has reduced or reinforced inequities in accessibility for low-income populations, recent immigrants, children, and older people. Archival maps were employed to reconstruct the cycling networks in the Montreal area in a GIS for six years (1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016). Census data and spatial analysis methods were then used to measure whether or not inequities in the accessibility of the cycling network increased over the period in question. The results show that, in 25 years, the cycling network has more than doubled in size. It can however be seen that some areas are still very poorly served, and that the network lacks connectivity. Low-income individuals have generally enjoyed good accessibility over the entire period. A strong decrease in inaccessibility for recent immigrants and seniors is also observed. The most important result is clearly that there has been little or no improvement for children, who are found to be in a situation of inequity.

Language: en