Reducing inequalities in job accessibility through bike-transit synergy

Abstract

This study investigates how integrating bicycles as access and egress options to public transport can improve job accessibility in mid-sized urban regions. It also evaluates how this synergy performs compared to existing travel options and explores its impact on reducing accessibility inequalities in the region. Using spatial analysis, potential job accessibility levels of a mid-sized urban region in Norway are estimated for four travel options: car, public transport, bicycle, and bike-transit synergy. The Modal Accessibility Gap index is derived to show disparities in accessibility levels provided by these travel options. Additionally, horizontal equity for each travel option is evaluated using the Lorenz curves and Gini index. Vertical equity is also evaluated using the Suits index, the Palma ratio, and the Percentile ratio. The results indicate that bike-transit synergy offers a fairer distribution of job accessibility in the region compared to the car, despite the latter offering significantly higher accessibility levels. These benefits are more pronounced in peri-urban areas, where the integration significantly enhances accessibility in the least accessible areas. However, the benefits are lower in the urban core, where jobs are concentrated, and in rural areas, where public transport quality is poor. The findings suggest that while bike-transit synergy is beneficial, it alone cannot resolve gaps with existing job accessibility levels provided by the car, reinforcing the need for an integrated transport and land use planning approach. The findings also highlight the need to consider alternative travel options as well as different equity definitions for a more coherent transport equity analysis.