Intermodal Bus and Bicycling Transportation in Southern Nevada - Final Report

Paz, Alexander; Coughenour, Courtney · 2017 · ROSA P / Mineta National Transit Research Consortium

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Summary

This study investigates the perceptions of bicycling infrastructure and the likelihood of using various bicycle facilities among residents of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area (LVMA). Motivated by the potential health, environmental, and economic benefits of active transportation, the research addresses the lack of local data regarding safety perceptions and infrastructure preferences in a sprawling, car-dependent region. The authors aim to identify barriers to bicycling and determine which infrastructure configurations would encourage residents to cycle for transportation, particularly targeting the "interested but concerned" demographic that constitutes the largest potential market for increased cycling rates. The methodology employed a mixed-methods approach involving quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Data collection occurred between July 2014 and May 2015, utilizing convenience sampling both in person and online. Surveyors targeted bus riders, cyclists, and private vehicle drivers at transit corridors, bus stops, and local businesses, while an online survey was distributed through local groups. The survey instrument assessed demographics, travel characteristics, safety perceptions of current infrastructure, and preferences for eight specific bicycle infrastructure alternatives, including conventional lanes, buffered lanes, physical separations, and shared bus-bike lanes. Additionally, phenomenological phone interviews were conducted with a small subset of respondents who identified bicycling as their primary mode of transportation to gather in-depth qualitative insights. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression to model infrastructure choice probabilities, while qualitative data were analyzed using open and axial coding to identify emerging themes. The study yielded 461 survey responses, with a sample mean age of 34.57 years and a demographic composition reflecting the broader LVMA population. Only 4.1% of respondents reported using a bicycle as their primary mode of transportation, consistent with regional trends where less than 1% of trips are made by bike. Results indicated that LVMA residents perceive significant barriers to bicycling, primarily related to safety concerns and the type of infrastructure available. The findings suggest that both actual and perceived safety barriers must be addressed to increase bicycling rates. The regression analysis helped characterize the probability of individual choices regarding infrastructure, highlighting that residents prefer facilities that provide greater separation from motor vehicle traffic. Qualitative themes from interviews with primary cyclists further elucidated the specific supports and barriers experienced by those already engaged in active transportation. The significance of this research lies in its provision of localized data for a metropolitan area characterized by urban sprawl and high traffic congestion. The authors conclude that to effectively increase bicycling for transportation, infrastructure investments must prioritize safety and physical separation from traffic, catering to the preferences of the majority who are interested in cycling but currently deterred by safety concerns. The study offers specific recommendations for infrastructure improvements, such as implementing buffered lanes and physical separations, to make bicycling a viable and attractive option for a broader segment of the population. These findings support policy decisions aimed at integrating active transportation with public transit systems in similar sprawling regions.

Key finding

Residents perceive significant safety and infrastructure barriers to bicycling and show a strong preference for physically separated facilities over conventional on-street bike lanes.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 461

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• cyclist safety