Did you know that Clemson has a Bicycle Research Team housed in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM)? Their objective is to conduct research projects pertaining to bicycling knowledge, processes and cycling-related systems.
Since the 2025 Tour de France kicked off on July 5, we connected with Clemson’s Bicycle Research Team to find out more about the latest news and research in cycling.
“Our team of multidisciplinary researchers strives to promote cycling holistically as part of community development and as a contribution to an area’s quality of life,” said Charles Chancellor, Ph.D., associate professor in PRTM and director of the team.
Dr. Chancellor is currently advising PRTM Master’s student, Trevor Romans, who recently presented his research titled, “Exploring Bicycle Commuters’ Experiences Commuting in and Around Clemson.”
Romans asserts that “Every thesis looks to fill a gap in the scholarly literature. I chose to learn about what it is like for Clemson students, staff, and faculty who bicycle commute to work and class. The gap in the literature was about understanding the psychological and behavioral experiences of bicycle commuters. I wanted this study to contribute to that knowledge, but also potentially improve Clemson’s bicycle friendliness.
“I interviewed 13 bicycle commuters, who mostly had positive things to say about their experience of bicycle commuting. They found it efficient, reliable, refreshing, and less stressful than driving, especially when they avoid parking hassles and traffic. Many also valued the health benefits, environmental impact, and opportunities for social interaction.
“However, not everyone had a great experience. Some felt unsafe due to car drivers’ behavior or felt rules of the road were unclear, and that the infrastructure for bicyclists was inconsistent. Despite these challenges, bike commuters were hopeful and willing to improve bicycle commuting in Clemson. This leads me to think that Clemson needs someone to champion making Clemson more bicycle-friendly and bring together all these passionate voices.
“Clemson has the potential to support bicycle commuters by making commuting easier and ensuring their safety. Overall, investment in bicycling and exploring alternative modes of transportation like walking, scootering, and public transportation can improve community health and reduce the number of cars on the road.”
This year, Romans also helped relaunch Clemson’s ReCyclery Club, which aims to find a healthy method of recovering bicycles while also cultivating a community around bike riding.
Romans told The Tiger, “My primary goal was to foster a community where students could feel a sense of belonging and share or develop their enthusiasm for bicycling in a safe, judgement free and collaborative space. I wanted to empower students to learn new skills, exchange experiences and contribute to a more environmentally sustainable and active lifestyle.”
In another recent study from 2023, Dr. Chancellor and colleagues examined “…youth bicycle programming through the empowerment-based youth development model.” They evaluated Momentum Bicycle Clubs (MBC) by engaging eight cross-sectional focus groups of MBC youth participants, aged 10-17, through sessions covering the MBC program, the mentors and the bicycle. MBC provides youth with the opportunity to develop mastery over the bicycle and to develop their moral reasoning through relationships with a group of adult mentors.
Click here to learn more about Clemson’s Bicycle Research Team.
