Gender differences in bicycle sharing system usage in the city of Valencia

Abstract

Bicycle sharing systems (BSS) in cities are an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil-fuel-based transport. Among the different factors that influence its use, the scientific literature points out that there are gender differences in the frequency of trips made. The present study analysed the movements of men and women who use the BSS in the city of Valencia during weekdays. Our database contained a total of 5,300,328 trips by users over a period of 4 years. Ridership networks were constructed through user's trips (arcs) between the bicycle exchange stations (nodes). Different parameters of centrality and density of the generated networks were calculated, and the Voronoi spaces of each of the vertices were calculated to establish the spaces covered by users throughout the day. Our results show that women use the BSS less than men in all the tested time slots. We also observed different network density and centrality for men and women. Finally, we found that women do not use the peripheral areas of the city at night. The gender inequality patterns of use and space occupation observed offer useful information for the operating company and city transport policy-makers. This study also contributes to putting gender differences at the forefront of future interventions.