LAUSR

Abstract This study explores the gender equity in bicycle mode choice and obstacles preventing women from bicycling to promote biking on major college campuses in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Socioeconomic data, travel preferences, mode accessibility, and individual factors of the surveyed population are used to identify generators of gender difference. To investigate gender equity, we develop a bivariate statistical analysis along with a two-level nested logit model. The results of the bivariate statistical analysis indicate females are about 30% less likely to bicycle from home to campus and are significantly more sensitive to environmental and infrastructural conditions. Complementary to the bivariate statistical analysis, the results of the two-level nested logit model demonstrate that distant trips, longer travel times, not having access to a bicycle, and an unsafe environment avert females from bicycling. We also find that undergraduate females are less likely to bike to campus than other group of students. The findings highlight that the integration of bicycle and transit services, advancing infrastructure to separate bicycle from motorized traffic, improving safety in bicycle facilities, and enhancing public knowledge about local bicycle routes promote bicycling among females.