Bicycle Access to Public Libraries: a Survey of Pennsylvania Public Libraries and Their Accessibility to Patrons Arriving Via Bicycle

In 1994, the US Department of Transportation set the goal of doubling the number of bicycle trips undertaken in this country. Impediments to this goal are trip and destination barriers. One major public destination intended for universal access is the public library. This is relevant to young adults, the poor, and recent immigrants, all of whom may choose bicycle transportation at higher rates than the general population. A survey of 225 public libraries in Pennsylvania found that 54% of respondent libraries had poor overall bicycle accessibility. These overall levels were the result of the trip or destination barriers at each library. The most significant barrier found was the lack of bicycle parking at destination libraries. To increase bicycle access to these libraries the most effective means would be the installation of secure bicycle racks in visible locations