Bicycling to Rail Stations in New Jersey

The purpose of this study was to document the conditions and characteristics of commuters who bicycle to rail stations in New Jersey. This was quantified by several data collection activities: 1) observational counts of bicycle-to-rail commuters; 2) inventories of bicycle infrastructure; 3) an intercept survey of bicycle-to-rail commuters; and 4) a focus group of bicycle-to-rail commuters. These data show that bicycling to rail stations is an important yet underserved part of the commuter network in New Jersey, as well as that improvements to bicycling infrastructure at and around stations is vital in order to increase the rate of bicycle-to-rail commuters. Together, these activities provided detailed information about bicycle-to-rail commuters, as well as a benchmark for the evaluation of future conditions. The study found that those who bicycle to stations were typically male, White, and between the ages of 25 and 44. The majority of these riders had earned college or post-graduate degrees and was a member of a high-earning household. Survey and focus group participants were mostly concerned about on-road and at-station safety. They advocated for more bicycle lanes, on-street lighting, police security at stations, and better bicycle parking. Finally, the station inventory revealed that bicycle parking could be expanded at some stations where bicycling is popular, while the road inventory showed that while most roads have speed limits at or below 25 mph and less than four lanes, just two percent have any on-street bicycle infrastructure.