National Center for Sustainable Transportation

Finding ways to boost transportation access for underserved populations can unlock broad social benefits. Micromobility programs, including bikesharing, offer scalable solutions. National, state, and regional housing and urban development agencies promote affordable housing and transit-accessible developments by funding programs such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and Community Development Block Grants. However, these efforts are not always coordinated and the physical distance between affordable housing and transit access continues to grow. The problem is compounded by low car ownership rates in lower income urban communities. These circumstances have led to inequitable mobility access. To correct course, pairing affordable housing developments with reliable transit services is essential. This practice can increase equity and accessibility. A team at the University of California, Davis, conducted a case study in Sacramento, California, to explore bikesharing as an option for connecting affordable housing residents with transit services. This brief summarizes the findings from that research and provides implications for the field. 

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