Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

The Heartland B-cycle bike sharing system has over 70 stations and 400 bikes to provide a sustainable form of active transportation to residents and visitors of the Omaha area. The Omaha Metro is a mid-sized midwestern city rooted in car culture, an extreme reliance on motorized vehicles, which is not sustainable nor equitable as the climate crisis deepens and our air quality worsens. Heartland B-cycle fills a transportation gap across the Metro as it provides a necessary first mile/last mile solution and connects to communities often left out of the transportation landscape.

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In many cities across the United States, urban inequalities in health, mobility, air quality, and economic development are concentrated in the same area: traditionally underrepresented communities. As the climate crisis continues, the effects are disproportionately felt by these communities as well. We see bike share as a tool to provide more equitable, reliable transportation and recreation options, specifically to traditionally underserved communities. Not only are these communities disproportionately experiencing the effects of climate change, but they are often left out of the climate conversation and efforts to improve the community result in gentrification. 

We believe that access to reliable transportation and recreation is a human right, which can also lead to better economic outcomes and quality of life. To address these injustices, we created an Equity Program to work with local nonprofits and distribute free Heartland B-cycle memberships. To help improve access to transportation to Omaha‚ predominately Black and Hispanic communities, we created strong partnerships with nonprofits in North and South Omaha. Our partnerships not only allow us to distribute free memberships that enable these communities to get riding, but they allow us to gain insight into the unique barriers to transportation and recreation that these communities face. By better understanding the barriers to access, we can determine how to best support these communities through the Heartland B-cycle program. 

Heartland B-cycle‚ electric pedal-assist bikes have tackled urban inequalities by lowering the barrier to cycling, increasing the opportunity for transportation and recreation, and in turn bettering the air quality of the community. Heartland B-cycle provides access to transportation and a healthy lifestyle along with giving communities the opportunity to participate in the fight against climate change.

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