We present a novel approach to understanding distance as a barrier to cycling and its use as a dependent variable in multinomial logistic regression. In doing so, this study explores distances in relation to spatially and relevant human factors such as gender and propensity to cycle among college students. College students (N= 949) participated in a health survey and stated possible predictors of cycling based on their cycle usage and preferences in the previous 30 days. While utilizing GIS in a bicycle-friendly network, we created geo-statistical GISgroupings and performed multinomial logistic regression analysis. We examined college students to discover how their demographic and personal characteristics may mediate the deterrent properties of distance when considered as a dependent variable in cycling to a college campus. Age and propensity for cycling for transportation mediate the negative effect of distance on the likelihood of cycling. The findings also suggest that infrastructure improvements could lessen the impact of distance as a barrier to cycling and increase the likelihood of cycling for commuting.

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Abstract. Objectives: To: (1) assess cycling-related questions which have been added to the electronic version of the NCHA-ACHA II, (2) examine cycling prevalence; and (3) identify predictors of cycling in college students. Participants: Predominately female (69%), undergraduate (89%), and White (85%) students (N = 949) from a large, urban, northwestern, bicycle-friendly university completed the electronic version of the NCHA-ACHA II. Methods:Thirty cycling-related questions were added to the NCHA-ACHA II and a subsample of questions was analyzed. Results: Cycling questions added to the NCHA-ACHA II scale were reliable and valid, based on the psychometric data analysis. More than half (59%) of this sample cycled; of those, 58% cycled for transportation and 44% for recreation. Facilitators and barriers to cycling were different for cycling in general and cycling for transportation. Conclusions:Cycling questions added to the NCHA-ACHA II can be utilized to enhance knowledge relative to cycling on college campuses.

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Dr. Thomas Wuerzer holds a Ph.D. in Regional Development Planning with particular emphasis on mixed-use developments and their economic optimization. His applied research focuses on investigating complex spatial issues with geographic information systems (GIS). Recent projects include research on wildfires in Idaho, economic impacts of parks, and novel GIS approaches to cycling infrastructure (bike share systems) and cyclists' behavior. where he works on data visualization projects for improved neurosurgical planning and treatment. His research focuses on developing and evaluating the ability of novel visualization techniques to communicate information for effective decision making and discovery. He received his PhD from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and his postdoctoral training at Yale University. AcknowledgementsThe authors would like to thank the student researchers Paul Morrow, Remington Buyer, Kyle Brookman, Steven Shofner, Michelle Wilson, and Kyle Prewitt for their excellent research assistance, and everyone who generously agreed to participate in the group decision-making pilot project.A version of this paper was presented at the 44th Annual Meeting of the Urban Affairs in San Antonio, TX. Funding Acknowledgements