Thread by @rebeccalsanders

Below are highlights from the #TRBAM Bicycle Committee's panel on Increasing Equity in Bicycling. So much rich discussion I couldn't write fast enough! Thx again to @theycallmeOboi, @jmbarajas, & Stefanie Brodie. 1/🧵

Thx also to @transitmom & @gatechengineers for sponsoring this discussion. Also note...I reached a tweet limit, so this is 3/4ths of the discussion...notes will come to #TRBAM friends after the conference. 2/

Q1. What is equity in the context of bicycle research? @theycallmeOboi - Among other things, working to address the systemic racism that has kept so many people from being able to live their freedom. See more @ equiticity.org. 3/

Stefanie Brodie - Recognizing barriers to Black, Brown, and Indigenous peoples for bicycling, and then working with them to address them. 4/

@jmbarajas - Let's get beyond the questions of distribution (who and where) to what are the methods of participation? What are the levers of power? How are we measuring systems for equity? What data matters? Who is contributing the data, and who is missing? 5/

Q2. What research is needed to support bicycling equity work? Stefanie Brodie - Qualitative res has been undervalued. Need 1) more commty input to broaden our understanding, 2) to elevate qual res & understand limits of trad methods/data, 3) to understd diff needs w/i commty. 6/

@theycallmeOboi - Need to begin w/ an understanding that the European model of cycling has failed Black & Brown neighborhoods. We need an exploration of other models around the world, like Ciclovia, which focuses on socializing around biking, not just transportation. 7/

@theycallmeOboi - Also need to explore how bicycling can help solve our most pressing problems. E.g., how does bicycling activity at the community level contribute to reducing neighborhood violence? How can we expand beyond historic ways of viewing bicycling as just transport? 8/

@theycallmeOboi - We also need to understand how racialized traffic enforcement is a barrier - and harm - to Black and Brown neighborhoods. 9/

@jmbarajas - Agree. Also, how can we study the intersection of bicycling with health, housing, opportunities, etc.? There are so many branches we need to explore. What about e-bikes and the future of bicycling? Who uses them? What happens to env justice issues wrt bicycling? 10/

Stefanie Brodie - Who gets to use e-bikes? What are the barriers to use? @theycallmeOboi - Need to support non-traditional actors in micrmobility space. Lack of trust w/ businesses & bureaucracy -- how can advocacy groups get involved? 11/

Q3. How do we make research more accessible to advocates and practitioners? Stefanie Brodie - Break down the paywall; make that which has been done literally more accessible. 12/

@theycallmeOboi - Come to the table w/ respect for the advocates as professionals, for the community & their wisdom gained from lived experience. We are peers. Advocacy & research can be partners. @jmbarajas - Listen to advocates when they tell you what they need. 13/

Q4. What is @NASEMTRB's role in advancing equity in research? @jmbarajas - Keep equity at the forefront of the discussion. We're perhaps more amenable to this in the active transportation sector, but we can help push @NASEMTRB toward focusing on equity in all areas. 14/

Stefanie Brodie - It's important to remember that it's not on just one committee to push for equity (e.g., the Equity Committee) -- it's on all committees. 15/

@theycallmeOboi - Racism & capitalism touch all aspects of our society, & we need to counter w/ equity-related efforts in all of those aspects. Draw on the work of Black & Brown practitioners who have already looked at equity throughout transportation. No need to redefine. 16/

Q5. How do we break down barriers to participation at #TRBAM? @theycallmeOboi - Make space for Black & Brown practitioners at TRB, e.g., @untokening @blackspaceorg. In the past, #TRBAM felt like a black box. Where to start? (Note: Need to better promote onboarding session.) 17/

@theycallmeOboi Also, it's expensive to attend. Help people use the venue & opportunity to help folks make connections so that the event feels worth the time, cost, and effort. 18/

@jmbarajas - As researchers, we have a responsibility to make research translatable and accessible. Can't just assume everyone has the same background & expertise. 19/

Stefanie Brodie - Cooperative Research Program (CRP) products are typically designed for DOTs...creating space for products that are more accessible to practitioners would help to increase access. 20/

Good examples of qualitative research: @ctbrown1911's research on barriers to bicycling among Black and Brown folks. @theycallmeOboi - @kateontransport's research on Black & Brown folks and concerns for police violence that significantly impact mode choice. 21/

@jmbarajas - @TRECpdx has done great work on barriers to bikesharing 22/

Audience Q: @ctbrown1911 - How does it feel to participate in a session on equity when it's not clear that the commitment is sincere? Does it feel extractive? @theycallmeOboi - Not for me, I was supported for this trip, & am wkg w/ people who are actively wkg on these issues. 23/

Audience Q: How to reach out to underserved communities? @theycallmeOboi - Not about reaching out -- we need to shift power & resources to the people experiencing the problems at the local level. For them to connect, they need power & resources. 24/

@theycallmeOboi The most impacted by inequity are in the best position to deliver equitable solutions. @jmbarajas - Listen to people. Stefanie Brodie - Proactively seek connection. 25/25 (Thx, everyone!)

I also want to thank @urbanadonia for helping brainstorm the questions, following her talk w/ @correlargo at the #TRBAM 2021 Bike Comm mtg. We walk in their footsteps & those of scholars like @ctbrown1911, @TamikaButler, & @DrDesThePlanner, who relentlessly press toward equity.

Thx also to @DrCelesteChavis, @transitmom, Martin Guttenplan, & @lindsaymbraun for helping start the #TRBAM Bike Committee's Equity Subcommittee. If you're interested in joining, sign up as an ACH20 (Bike Comm) friend via mytrb.org (free!) -- all hands on deck.