B5.02 - Oral Session: Historically Disinvested Neighborhoods and Active Transportation Infrastructure: What Is the Impact on Physical Activity?

Brief Abstract Summary: This project describes the perceptions of sidewalk and bike lanes and their impacts on health, safety, and physical activity. We examine the differences in sidewalk and bike lane maintenance, health benefits and safety across diverse neighborhoods. Participants will learn how disinvestment in sidewalks and bike lanes in Kansas City neighborhoods with low life expectancy impacts physical activity and health outcomes. Additionally, participants will gain insights into policy strategies for equitable infrastructure investment, community engagement, and cross-sector collaboration to improve urban active transportation.

Detailed abstract description: Disinvestment in sidewalks and bike lanes furthers health disparities in low life expectancy neighborhoods by limiting safe, accessible active transportation options. This study surveyed 2,507 registered voters in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2023 to assess perceptions of sidewalk maintenance, safety, tax spending, and bike lane support across neighborhoods with varying life expectancy. Using validated scales and regression analyses, findings show that recent infrastructure repairs and safe bike routes significantly predict physical activity. Individuals in low life expectancy zip codes (LLEZ) were more likely to report that maintaining sidewalks supported health (F = 14.0, p < 0.001) and physical activity (F = 11.3, p < 0.001). Individuals in LLEZ were less likely to report that bike lanes were a mechanism of gentrification (F = 4.3, p < 0.05). Physical activity was not significantly different for individuals in LLEZ compared to high life expectancy zip codes (F = 1.77, p = 0.18). For all individuals, recent sidewalk repairs (b​​ = 10.7, p < 0.01) and improve safe and comfortable bike routes (b =11.1, p < 0.05) significantly predicted physical activity levels. This session will emphasize the importance of community-aligned infrastructure planning and equitable policy interventions to restore historic disinvestment. Attendees will engage with practical strategies for stakeholder engagement and evaluation frameworks that encourage urban health promotion initiatives. Attendees are urged to apply these insights to their own public health planning efforts, fostering sustainable, health-supportive environments through evidence-based active transportation investments.