Date of Award

Fall 2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)

Department

Public Policy and Administration

Committee Chairperson

Mark Davis, Ph.D., MPA

Committee Member

Angela Kline, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Michelle Wade, Ph.D.

Abstract

Dallas, Texas, has attempted to implement bicycle infrastructure for 50 years. Unfortunately, the measures have been rejected by the populace. This resulted in Dallas being ranked the worst city to bike in the United States three times in the last 17 years. This dissertation aims to understand why. Specifically, reviewing the factors that prevent residents from biking and what infrastructural changes would entice them to bike more. To achieve this, a 27-question online survey was created. This survey included both open-ended and closed-ended questions. The results aligned with much of the existing literature. The people of Dallas feel biking is unsafe due to the infrastructure available. They would like more off-street bicycle lanes, and any on-street lanes should be physically separated. This year Dallas released the newest bike plan, and it includes some elements of these findings. However, the details of the plan indicate the city is still misaligned. Based on this dissertation, it is evident that Dallas officials must approach bicycle infrastructure differently. First, by understanding the innovation adoption process, which is detailed in Diffusion of Innovations Theory. This would include implementing elements such as relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability. They should also adopt the components of the Dutch Approach to bicycle infrastructure. That focuses on cohesion, directness, attractiveness, safety, and comfort. By combining these frameworks, Dallas can get itself on the right track and no longer be considered one of the worst biking cities in the United States, but instead one of the best.

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