Conserve by Bicycle Program Study


Mandated by the Florida Legislature, this study determined how providing for bicycling can reduce fuel and health care costs in metropolitan areas in Florida. Led by Landis Evans + Partners, formerly Sprinkle Consulting, the study expanded the DOTs revolutionary new mode shift and induced recreational demand models and computational engines to calculate fuel costs, emissions reductions and health benefits resulting from improved bicycle accommodations. Applicable at both the corridor and network wide levels, these methodologies can be used to predict fuel and health care savings across metro areas. Specifically, the study determines: (1) Where energy conservation and savings can be realized when more and safer bicycle facilities are provided in a corridor which reduces the use of motor vehicles; (2) Where the use of education and marketing programs help convert motor vehicle trips into bicycle trips; (3) How, and under what circumstances, the construction of bicycling facilities provide more opportunities for recreation and how exercise can lead to a reduction of health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle; (4) How the Safe Paths to Schools Program and other similar programs reduce school-related commuter traffic, which result in energy and roadway savings as well as improve the health of children throughout the state; and (5) How partnerships can be created among interested parties in the fields of transportation, law enforcement, education, public health, environmental restoration and conservation, parks & recreation, and energy conservation to achieve a better possibility of success for the program. In addition to government infrastructure project recommendations, Landis Evans also identified effective private development planning policies, approaches to encouragement programs, and comprehensive safe routes to school programs. The Conserve by Bicycle Program Study results will help communities analyze alternative development scenarios and promotional activities to discover what methods will best work to promote non-motorized transportation.