Will they ride them back? User behavior on public bikesharing schemes: Case study of Hangzhou, China

Abstract

In order to study user behavior to support the management of Station-based Bikesharing Systems (SBS), Free-floating Bikesharing Systems (FBS), and the whole public bikesharing system, this study scrutinized factors that influence bikeshare-user patterns of one-way trips or round trips and examined the use frequency characteristics including both systems. Based on the data collected by questionnaires, descriptive analysis shows that the user profile of education background, private vehicle ownership, riding days during a week, departure time of day, trip type, mode transfer and service satisfaction for both systems is similar. To detect the factors associated with cycling for a round-trip versus one-way, this study uses step-wise logistic regression analysis to compare the difference between the targeted users. Putting samples of the two systems together and applying an ordinal logistic regression model, the outcomes show that as the increase of use frequency, trips are more likely to be one-way trips, generated by SBS users. They are likely to work at state-owned enterprises, having travel purposes more likely related to family or personal affairs rather than work affairs and owning cars. Finally, recommendations are given for operators of both schemes as well as government organizations responsible for supervising these schemes.