Efforts and Future Direction to Improve Mobility and Accessibility of the Disadvantaged Class

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The Transportation Prescription(2009) states that public transportation, walking, and riding bicycles are healthier, more accessible and more eco-friendly than using cars. In this report, the three modes of transportation and the three transportation policies affecting the public health and equity are described separately. Among these, Susan Handy argues that walking and cycling are cheaper and walking and cycling allow people to exercise, helping low-income household, children and the elderly.
With the spread of public bikes and shared electric scooters, more and more people use shared transportation rather than personal vehicles. In particular, the Portland Biketown offers discounted membership cards for only $3 per month to residents living in low-income areas. (Biketown) In addition, Biketown also operates an adaptive bicycle rental program to improve the accessibility of bicycles for disabled people. Only people with the TriMet Honored Convergence Pass can get a discount on bicycle rent. Through various economic benefits and programs of public facilities, the government can strive to improve the mobility of the underprivileged to ensure traffic balance and promote health. (Jonathan Maus, 2017)
Source: BikePortland.org
Furthermore, the Transportation Equity Caucus is continuing its work to ensure equity and civil rights concerns stay at the center of the federal transportation efforts. The Caucus has successfully increased representation of health and equity constituents engaged in transportation policy through targeted outreach to and communication with health and social justice stakeholders. As coalition membership continues to increase, the Caucus is leveraging the momentum generated by federal efforts, such as the Safe Routes to School Campaign, to educate transportation advocates about the health and equity impacts of built environment and transportation policy. (Convergence Partnership)
I completely agree that the introduction of public bicycles and electric scooters has improved mobility and accessibility for people who have difficulty using public transportation. However, it is difficult for the disabled and elderly to use such public bikes or scooters since they are less mobile and especially their recognition response time takes longer than the general.


According to Rosenbloom (2003), the number of older Americans is going to double by 2028. The increase in senior's population adds a range of transportation constraints to the communities. Despite the living location, most of the older people are notably dependent on cars, either as a passenger or as a driver.
I think the car sharing platform, such as Uber and Lyft, is more convenient for elderly and disabled people, and ensure equity to disabled people. Even both Uber and Lyft have options for requesting rides via computer for elderly and disabled people who do not use smartphones. (Easyliving, 2018) These shared vehicle services allow them to go to the hospital, buy groceries, and attend social gatherings without the help of their family or using public transportation.
With increasing concerns about public health, environment, and equity, it is important to keep studying what policies will provide an appropriate transportation option for low-income, disabled, children and the elderly.


References

Bell, J. E., & Cohen, L. (2009). The transportation prescription: Bold new ideas for healthy, equitable transportation reform in America, PolicyLink, 9-20.

Biketown, “BIKETOWN for All offers discounted BIKETOWN memberships to Portland-area residents living on low incomes”, Retrieved from https://www.biketownpdx.com/pricing/biketown-for-all

Convergence Partnership, Retrieved from http://www.convergencepartnership.org/cp-focus-areas/resilience-equitable-development

Easyliving (2018, January 17th), “How can my elderly parents use Lyft or Uber?”, Retrieved from https://easylivingfl.com/lyft-uber-for-seniors/

Rosenbloom, S. (2003), “The Mobility Needs of Older Americans.”, The Brooking Institution.

Jonathan Maus (2017, July 21st),“‘Adaptive Biketown’ program brings new riders to the fore”, Retrieved from https://bikeportland.org/2017/07/21/adaptive-bikes-no-longer-in-portlands-shadows-235595

Uber, Retrived from https://www.uber.com/ko-US/community/economic-opportunities/seniors/

Written by Minju Kim
Edited by Sara Urbina and Kyuri Kim

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 7, 2018 at 3:00 PM

    This class has really opened my eyes to the multitude of positives from walking and riding bikes. From my own experience with the bike and scooter share, it has normalized those activities more to me. I don't own a bike or scooter and I can't afford to buy one right now, but now that they are all over the city I can pick either one up almost any where. Throughout the summer there were many times friends and I would decide to ride scooters together over driving because of how much fun we had on them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 11, 2018 at 6:43 PM

      Thanks for your reply! I am also one of the frequent users of electric scooters. I often ride it when the weather is good or when I am getting up late.
      One of the things I was shocked at when I came to Portland is that people use a bicycle and electric scooter very actively.
      The average person has the perception that the continental of United States is so vast that it can be challenging to get around without a car. For this reason, Portland is well-equipped with bicycles and electric scooters.
      I am interested in transportation accessibility and mobility, and I hope that more people will know and use this transportation we love!

      Delete

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