GEAR UP (Growing E-bike Access and Research for University Populations)

The GEAR UP project aims to address the gap in understanding e-bike use and active transportation needs among university dorm students living in car-centric urban environments. The project implements an innovative pilot program that will provide 15 Fresno State dorm residents with e-bikes for three months via the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce's Biz-Bikes Lending Program. Participants will also receive helmets and cycling safety education from the Fresno County Bicycle Coalition. The study asks to what extent e-bike access influences travel behavior, how safety resources shape students' attitudes and perceptions, and what challenges and opportunities exist for supporting dorm residents' mobility needs. Methods include pre- and post-pilot surveys, ridership data provided directly by the Biz-Bikes tracking system, participant interviews, and aggregated trip data to highlight current attitudes and barriers (physical, infrastructural, and social) toward cycling.