A statistical analysis of bike sharing usage and its potential as an auto-trip substitute

Abstract

IntroductionBikesharing has become increasingly popular in urban areas as an alternative active transportation mode that can help relieve congestion, mitigate negative environmental impacts, and improve public health through increased physical activity. To understand the benefit of bikesharing, it is important to identify the factors influencing how often registered users use bikesharing, and assess whether and how much their bikesharing use is displacing an auto trip. MethodsA survey was conducted, and random parameters logit models were estimated to study individuals’ bikesharing usage rates and modal substitution. In addition to standard socio-demographic and travel behavior characteristics of the survey respondents, health-related questions were also included in the survey and health-related indicators were considered as explanatory variables in the estimated models. ResultsIt was found that gender, age, income, household size, commute type and length, and vehicle ownership all played significant roles in bikesharing usage and modal substitution decisions. Regarding health measures, respondents’ body mass index (BMI), one of the health-related indicators, was also a significant predictor of bikesharing usage. ConclusionsThe outcomes of this research provide some initial insights into the bikesharing decision-making process that can help in the development of policies to improve the performance of bikesharing systems and making them a more viable transportation option.