Bicycle Sharing

Introduction

Current bike-sharing programs involve a system for short-term bike rentals. Most systems require docking bikes in a station at each end of the trip. Smartphone apps can be used for finding stations and checking availability of bikes at each location.

Modern bike sharing began in Paris in 2007 with Europe’s largest program of 20,000 bikes.¹ Since then, many of North America’s large cities, such as Boston, Denver, Minneapolis, New York, San Antonio, and Washington, D.C.,² have added systems. New York City’s Citi Bike began with 10,000 bikes and 600 stations. It was the first large-scale system developed without public money.³

Bike-sharing programs usually offer only one style of bike: a durable utility bike with rain fenders, a basket, flat-resistant tires, and an adjustable seat post. Some bikes include attached cable locks to promote safe stopovers at stores or other locations. Rentals are automated at a payment kiosk that accepts major credit cards or membership cards. The kiosks are small and can be moved or upsized for special events, if needed.

Target Market

Most bike-sharing systems are designed for general use in dense urban areas, close to universities, at tourist attractions, and in recreation areas.⁴ Places with well-connected streets and low traffic speeds are best for these systems. Bicycle infrastructure such as bike lanes and shared-use paths also promote use.⁵ Recent research from Washington, D.C.’s Capital Bikeshare system showed short-term system users were more likely to be female and younger than area bicyclists.⁶

Transit users and carpoolers are ideal users who may be able to reach non-work destinations, such as stores or restaurants, more quickly by using bike-sharing systems. Bike sharing may also solve “last mile” problems for transit users who wish to reach a location farther than comfortable walking distance but within an easy bike ride.

How Will This Help?

• Reduces street congestion by promoting modes other than driving alone for short trips. Bike sharing promotes transit use by reducing the time needed to access stations compared to walking or taking a bus.

• Reduces personal transportation costs by eliminating the need to own and maintain a vehicle.

• Reduces transportation system costs for agencies by increasing the person-throughput capacity of roadways.

Planning

• Define the goals of the program in order to document impacts.
• Select a business model that best fits the local political and financial situation. Three options include jurisdiction-owned and managed, non-profit business, and for-profit business.
• Consider all the costs of bike-sharing: a feasibility study can answer key questions in planning, including capital and operating costs.
• Engage the public and stakeholders throughout the process.

Bicycle facilities such as protected bike lanes support bike-sharing systems but are not required for success. Population and business density and well-connected streets also promote system use.

Weather and terrain also play a role. Systems in areas with harsh winters often close during high-snow periods. Slopes over 5 percent can create barriers for some bicyclists, so flatter ground supports bicycling for more people.

Implementation

• Locate stations locations in dense areas with high population and employment. Locations that may not be proven bicycling attractors can be added later.

• Tightly cluster stations to minimize walking distances to use bike Evans and Moskowitz recommend no more than a half mile between highly visible stations.⁴

• Make pricing affordable to the local community and encourage the rapid turnover of bikes.

• Choose hours of operation based on likely demand in the area and financial support for necessary staffing.

Theft and Vandalism
Contemporary bike-sharing systems in the United States use locks and security codes that keep theft to a minimum.⁸ Locks attached to bikes promote secure stopovers for users.

Safety and Health
Most bike-sharing systems encourage but do not require helmet use.⁴ One recent study found that cities in the United States that implemented bike-sharing programs reported an average increase in head injuries.⁹ Though the relationship has not been proven, the authors warn that systems should explore ways to encourage helmet use. Current guidance strongly recommends promoting helmet use through such incentives as providing helmet discounts with system memberships.⁴

Several studies show that bike sharing promotes physical activity, and the increase in activity outweighs the safety risks from not requiring helmet use.^10,11

Rebalancing/Redistribution
Even when bike-sharing stations are widespread, commuting patterns tend to cluster bikes at certain locations and times.¹² Most systems use vans or trailers to redistribute bikes among stations to help ensure availability of bikes to check out and empty docks for returns. San Antonio B-Cycle uses a bike-powered trailer to move bikes to stations as needed.

One potential solution to help with system balance is to reduce the cost of a rental at stations mostly empty. Additional research in this area could help reduce operational costs and improve sustainability.

Who Is Responsible?

Almost all American systems involve coordination by a local jurisdiction, private vendor, and often a non-profit organization.

Cost

Capital costs for implementing a jurisdiction-wide bike-sharing system have averaged between $4,200 to $5,400 per bike, including system components and staff and administrative support.⁴ The cost of operations averages $150 to $200 for each bike monthly.

Project Time Frame

Most bike-sharing programs are implemented in phases, depending on funding and demand. Small, corporate systems can be implemented with a vendor in a few months, but as the size and oversight needs grow, so does the implementation time. For a public system with private partners, include at least six months for planning while pursuing funding. Once funding and governance are in place, installation and testing can take at least another three months.

Bike-sharing programs should include potential landowners and transportation agencies early in the process to begin considering site-specific issues. Implementers should consider the time of year the program will launch in order to gain momentum with minimal effect from seasons.

Data Needs

Annual evaluation of bike-sharing programs can improve service and enhance operational efficiency. Programs can seek customer feedback through member surveys, social media, and in-person meetings.

Ridership and purchasing data are built-in components of most current bike-sharing systems.¹³ Data on bike use can be analyzed to determine the number of daily trips per bike, trip travel time, maximum daily concurrent use, demographics of users either increasing or decreasing in use, and overall income and operating expenses.