Introduction
The Bicycle Environmental Quality Index (BEQI) is a quantitative observational survey to assess the bicycle environment on roadways to evaluate what streetscape improvements could be made to promote bicycling in San Francisco. The survey has 23 empirically-based indicators, each of which has been shown to promote or discourage bicycle riding and connectivity to other modes of transport. Several of the indicators have been used in other bicycle indices from different regions in the country, while others are new concepts that have been found significant through other studies regarding healthy bicycle environments. SFDPH identified five main categories which embody important physical environmental factors for bicyclists: vehicle traffic, street design, land use, intersections, and safety. Table 1 details each BEQI indicator under its broader environmental category. These indicators can be aggregated to create the final index (the BEQI), which can be reported as an overall index score, and/or deconstructed by bicycle environmental categories shown in Table 1.
Table 1. BEQI Indicators by Bicycle Environmental Category
| Intersection Safety | Vehicle Traffic | Street Design | Safety/Other | Land Use |
| Left turn bicycle lane Dashed intersection bicycle lane No turn on red signs |
Number of vehicle lanes Vehicle speed Traffic calming features Parallel parking adjacent to bicycle lane/route Traffic volume Percentage of heavy vehicles |
Connectivity of bike lanes Trees Width of bike lane Bicycle lane markings Presence of a marked area for bicycle traffic Pavement type/condition Driveway cuts Street slope |
Bicycle/pedestrian scale lighting Presence of bicycle lane signs |
Line of sight Bicycle parking Retail use |
Background and Development
In June 2007, the SFDPH developed a physical survey to assess the quality of the bicycle network on Treasure Island called the Bicycle Environmental Quality Index (BEQI). The values of the indicators listed in Table 1 were obtained by sending a survey to bicycle experts and members of the bicycle community in July 2007. San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC) staff worked with SFDPH to prepare and promote the BEQI survey. Once ready, the survey was posted to the online survey service, Zoomerang, where individuals could easily fill out the service online. The survey was promoted through the SFBC newsletter and emailed to people in the bicycle community; 88 respondents completed the survey. The survey responses were used to devise numerical scores and weights for the BEQI. The total score for each street segment and intersection will reflect the bicycle quality for the area the BEQI is applied to. Data collection for the BEQI is based on a visual assessment of street segments and intersections by a trained observer. SFDPH is developing detailed field and technical manuals with instructions on how to conduct the survey, use the BEQI database (also under development), and geocode and display BEQI results.
Collaborations/Constituencies Involved
As the BEQI is being developed, SFDPH continues to work closely with SFBC to finalize the indicators which determine a safe and adequate bicycle environment. SFDPH plans to request BEQI review by other City agencies.
Relevance to Health and Health Equity
Cycling to work, school shopping, or leisure activities can be both a sustainable and time-efficient exercise regimen for maintaining acceptable levels of fitness. Studies have shown that bicycle commuters work more efficiently, arriving to work eager and alert, and due to a cyclists’ improved health, they have fewer job-related injuries. The use of non-motorized transportation provides exercise, reduces fatal accidents, increases social contacts and reduces air and noise pollution. Increased exercise protects against heart disease and exercise and is also recognized to have mental health benefits. Furthermore, traffic reduction on streets increases safety and opportunities for social interaction between residents and workers.
Applications and Policy Targets
Results from the BEQI reveal the relative quality of the biking environment at a street-level scale in select San Francisco neighborhoods. Use of the BEQI can translate environmental variables into a set of provisions for a healthy bicycle environment and a BEQI assessment can inform neighborhood planning and prioritize improvements through the land use plans and environmental assessments. An application of the BEQI asks the following questions:
1) Does a place have adequate and safe bicycle facilities throughout the neighborhood?In addition to planning applications, BEQI results may be used in health research, for example, to see whether a statistical correlation exists between a visual assessment of bicycle environmental quality and other neighborhood vitality indicators and/or health outcomes. In San Francisco, SFDPH is currently applying the BEQI as a pilot application in Treasure Island and finalizing the BEQI through this process.BEQI indicators are used to assess baseline conditions
2) Does a plan or project advance bicycle facilities in the area?Plans/projects are assess to evaluate the extent to which BEQI indicators are present
3) What recommendations for planning policies, implementing actions, or project design would advance the bicycle environment?Concrete, specific recommendations are provided to the plan/project based on the evaluation