Statistical Analysis of Bicycling Behavior Survey - Prof. Susan L. Handy, Exams of Environmental Science

Download Statistical Analysis of Bicycling Behavior Survey - Prof. Susan L. Handy and more Exams Environmental Science in PDF only on Docsity! 1 ESP 178 Applied Research Methods 2/28 Class Exercise: Quantitative Analysis Introduction: In summer 2006, my student Ted Buehler and I conducted a survey of residents in Davis and five other cities. The purpose of the survey was to test the effect of bicycle infrastructure and bicycle culture in a community on bicycling behavior for the residents of that community while controlling for socio-demographic characteristics and personal attitudes. Our conceptual model looked something like this: The cities chosen for the study are roughly similar to Davis in terms of population and geographic size, but they vary with respect to bicycle infrastructure and culture. We surveyed a random sample of residents in each of these cities. The dataset I’ve given you (a subset of the entire dataset for the survey), includes the following variables, measured at the individual level: Biking Name Definition Coding Level DAYSBIKED Number of days in last 7 days respondent rode a bicycle 0 to 7 days ratio BIKER Whether respondent rode a bike within the last 7 days 0=no; 1=yes nominal Perceptions of Bicycle Infrastructure in City Name Definition Coding Level BIKELANE Major streets have bike lanes WIDESTRE Streets without bike lanes are wide enough to bike on 1 = not at all true; 2 = somewhat Ordinal (but can treat as Bicycle infrastructure Bicycle culture Safety concerns Attitudes Socio- demographics Bicycling behavior 2 BIKERACK Stores and other destinations have bike racks PATHLIGH Streets and bike paths are well lighted BUTTONS Intersections have push-buttons or sensors for bicycles or pedestrians PATHNETW City has a network of off-street bike paths FREEOFOB Bike lanes are free of obstacles PATHGAPS Bike route network has big gaps HILLY Area is too hilly for easy bicycling true; 3 = mostly true; 4 = entirely true ratio) Perceptions of Bicycle Culture in City Name Definition Coding Level DRIVERSO Most drivers seem oblivious to bicyclists DRIVERSY Most drivers yield to bicyclists DRIVERSW Most drivers watch for bicyclists at intersections DRIVERSS Most people drive faster than the speed limit BIKERSSP Most bicyclists look like they spend a lot of money on their bikes RARESHOP Rare for people to shop for groceries on a bike BIKENORM Bicycling is a normal mode of transportation for adults in this community BIKEPOOR Most bicyclists look like they are too poor to own a car KIDSBIKE Kids often ride their bikes around my neighborhood for fun BIKENOSA Many bicyclists appear to have little regard for their personal safety 1 = strongly disagree; 2 = disagree; 3 = neutral; 4 = agree; 5 = strongly agree Ordinal (but can treat as ratio) Safety Concerns Name Definition Coding Level HITBYCAR Concerned about being hit by car BICYBYBI Concerned about being hit by another bicyclists while riding bike BITBYDOG Concerned about being bitten by a dog MUGGED Concerned about being mugged or attacked CRASH Concerned about crashing because of road hazards (e.g. uneven pavement or debris) 1 = not at all concerned; 2= somewhat concerned; 3 = very concerned Ordinal (but can treat as ratio) Attitudinal Measures Name Definition Coding Level GETEXER “It is important for me to get regular exercise” ENJOYEXE “I enjoy physical exercise” PRICEGAS “The price of gasoline affects the choices I make about my daily travel” 1 = strongly disagree; 2 = disagree; 3 = neutral; 4 = agree; Ordinal (but can treat as ratio)