Equity-Driven Outreach for Bicycle Planning and Beyond

As more cities begin to address the lack of bicycle infrastructure through citywide planning efforts, inequalities inherent to the community outreach process threaten to perpetuate inequality of access to biking in cities. This research will explore the ways planners are using equity-focused public engagement to take on the unique challenges of creating an equitable and inclusive bicycle culture, and planning for infrastructure that accommodates the needs of all residents. The research is focused primarily on the public engagement strategies used in the City of Oakland’s 2019 Let’s Bike Oakland planning process. The primary case study is supported by research on the San Jose Bike Plan currently in development, and the Portland Pedestrian Plan released in 2019. This study uses a mainly qualitative research methodology through interviews with planners and consultants involved in the planning process, and analysis of relevant documentation. Through this research I identify powerful engagement and outreach strategies to create an equitable planning process, and suggest how those strategies can be applied further.