Research Focus

Bicycles and scooters parked near the 18th and California light rail stop, downtown Denver. Multi-modal transportation incorporating walking, bicycling, rail and low-impact motor transport is an important combination in the pursuit of sustainable urban infrastructure.

I am a PhD student and IGERT trainee studying sustainable urban infrastructure through the framework of the Health and Behavioral Sciences department. My interests are in non-motorized and multi-modal transportation as related to public health, behavior change and the built environment.

The incorporation of exercise into daily life is an important element of both individual and general public health. As a mode of transport, the bicycle serves a unique and valuable role. Bicycle use in transport systems is a crucial component, as it engenders healthy behavior, reduces fuel dependency, produces zero emissions and increases overall sustainability of multi-modal systems.

As the US begins to address the challenges of the coming century, we may learn much from examining more sustainable systems in other parts of the world where cars, trains, bicycles and other modes of transport coexist and frequently overlap in usage. These varied cultures which range in wealth and geography nevertheless share a crucial element of transportation strategy: the utility bicycle.