Student: Lucy Roberts
Graduation date: May 2014
Capstone type: Thesis
Capstone project:
Project not yet linked to capstone record
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This paper serves as an interrogation into how decisions regarding equity and opportunity are made and whom the built environment is intended to serve. I situate my argument around the bicycle, in an attempt to complicate the discussion of bicycles as a democratic and equalizing tool of transportation. In the bike-friendly context of Portland, OR, a closer look is taken to examine who is a part of the conversation regarding bicycle safety, infrastructural development, and transit justice. What patterns do those in power exhibit when they make a decision that will impact the community? Through a mixed-methodology approach, I evaluate effects of gentrification on communities that have seen improved bicycle infrastructure from 1990-2010. The results find that bicycle infrastructure tends to follow recently gentrified areas, due to elitist bicycle culture, and the way in which infrastructure is designed, implemented and utilized. Furthermore, affected communities will continue to be unhappy and left with feelings of exclusivity, and planners will continue to be unaware of cultural differences and consequences of bicycle infrastructure until these many differences are addressed during the planning process.