︎ Ann Arbor Modified Mobility
Free and accessible bike options for UM students, staff, and faculty
By Will Deutsch︎
Hypothesis
Millions of Americans suffer from poor health conditions resultant from lifestyle choices that they make on a daily basis. Lack of exercise is one of the leading causes of poor health, but can be remedied through basic commuter decisions if a proper infrastructure system is put into play. Providing free and accessible bike options for UM students, staff, and faculty can positively impact the health of the
general Ann Arbor community.
Millions of Americans suffer from poor health conditions resultant from lifestyle choices that they make on a daily basis. Lack of exercise is one of the leading causes of poor health, but can be remedied through basic commuter decisions if a proper infrastructure system is put into play. Providing free and accessible bike options for UM students, staff, and faculty can positively impact the health of the
general Ann Arbor community.
- What?
The proposed bike network utilizes a radial layout of free bike share locations available to all University of Michigan students, staff, and
faculty. Bike stations are positioned at major transportation routes at multiple distances from the city to allow people outside of the city
center to easily access them. The locations also utilize existing road infrastructure that already designed for bike traffic.
- So What?
Research proves that transitioning to bike and walking heavy commuting has large physical, mental, and social health implications. The
proposed system will result in a healthier community, safer streets and neighborhoods, and ultimately a more appealing place to study,
work, and live.
The design ourcomes.
Design to Outcomes
Funding for Ann Arbor’s free bike share system is envisioned using funding from
(1) the university and city from existing transportation services. The university spends over $23 million annually on transportation services, most of which goes towards modes of transport utilizing fossil fuels. Biking also improves road conditions, which would reduce the consistently increasing amount the city spends on road repair, and could incentivise them to invest.
(2) There is also funding potential for employers to invest, as case studies in Ann Arbor have shown bike commuters utilizing less sick days, which has potential to save companies millions spent on paid time off annually.
︎
Works Cited
1.“FastStats - Leading Causes of Death.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 17, 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of- eath.htm.
2.“Stress.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. Accessed February 10, 2020. https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/stress.
3. Lyall, Donald M, Paul Welsh, Jana Anderson, Lewis Steell, Yibing Guo, Reno Maldonado, Daniel F Mackay, Jill P Pell, Naveed Sattar, and Jason M R Gill. “Association between Active Commuting and Incident Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, and Mortality: Prospective Cohort Study.” The BMJ. British Medical Journal Publishing Group, April 19, 2017. https://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j1456.
4. “Cycling and the Mental Health Benets.” Cyclescheme. Accessed February 10, 2020. https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/community/featured/cycling-and-the-mental-health-benets.
5. Perino, Marissa. “Here's What the Average Person Spends on Their Commute Annually in Every State.” Business Insider. Business Insider, July 18, 2019. https://www.businessinsider.com/average-spending-on-commute-how-much-money-2019-7#wyoming-439340-50.