On the street: Bicycle lane usage in a low income Central Brooklyn neighborhood

Background: Regular physical activity can help prevent obesity and chronic disease. In Central Brooklyn neighborhoods with high health disparities, most residents do not meet guidelines for physical activity and are overweight or obese. Although active transportation, such as bicycle commuting, has increased dramatically in Manhattan, little is known about cycling in Central Brooklyn. Methods: Four separate city blocks with bicycle lanes in Central Brooklyn were observed using multiple video cameras for 40 hours during AM/PM commuting and weekend times during the summer of 2009. Videotapes were reviewed and coded for frequency, location, and type of cyclists. An intercept survey captured information on cyclist demographics, behaviors and attitudes. Results: Preliminary tape review found 2,461 cyclists crossing the study intersections (1 cyclist/minute). On study streets, 89% of cyclists rode in the bicycle lanes. Cyclists were predominately adult (96%), male (80%) and non-White (54%). 70% of cyclists did not wear helmets. Cyclists were most often observed (48%) during afternoon hours. Of 324 cyclists interviewed, 76% reported living in low income Central Brooklyn neighborhoods, 39% were overweight or obese, and 65% reported cycling 30+ minutes/day on 5+ days of the past week. Most (95%) preferred riding on streets with bicycle lanes. Leading factors reported that would encourage more frequent cycling were fewer vehicles driving and stopping in bike lanes (37%), and more bicycle lanes (34%). Conclusions: Bicycle lanes are utilized and valued by cyclists in Central Brooklyn. Residents that do cycle, tend to ride frequently. Efforts to promote cycling should be enhanced.