Better Understanding of Factors Influencing Likelihood of Using Shared Bicycle Systems and Frequency of Use

Abstract

Planning and transportation professionals are promoting a variety of sustainable travel alternatives, such as public transit usage, walking, and cycling, as affordable transportation options to counter the negative effects of widespread car use. In their traditional form, these alternative transport modes do not always offer the flexibility or convenience of the car; therefore, innovative solutions have been developed to allow active and public transport to compete better with the car. Shared bicycle systems have been adopted by a growing number of cities and regions throughout the world, yet little is known about the users of the systems and their motivations. A survey was conducted in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in the summer of 2010 to determine the factors that encouraged individuals to use the system and the elements that influenced frequency of use. The factor found to have the greatest effect on the likelihood for use of a shared bicycle system was the proximity of home to docking stations. Ownership of a yearly shared bicycle membership was associated with cyclists riding shared bicycles 15 additional times per year. Respondents indicated that they valued the shared bicycle's trendy status and the role that it could play in bicycle theft prevention. The potential of shared bicycle systems can be maximized by increasing the number of docking stations in residential neighborhoods and by emphasizing the popularity of shared bicycles and theft prevention in advertising campaigns.

Predicting Public Bicycle Adoption Using the Technology Acceptance Model

“…Using the data collected, we were able to show support for this extended model that was developed based on the current literature on public bicycle sharing systems [5,15]. This study contributes to the theory behind the TAM by replicating and extending the model to include an additional construct (perceived value) while using it to examine data in a new context.…”

“…For instance, Fuller et al examined health-related outcomes associated with residential exposure to the public bicycle sharing program implemented in Montreal [13,14]. Bechand-Marleau, Lee and EI-Geneidy examined existing users of a bicycle sharing system in Montreal to identify characteristics influencing their frequency of use [15]. In related research, Sherwood and Murphy document the process for expanding San Antonio's urban municipal bicycle sharing program to find key determinants of success [16], and Lathia, Ahmed and Capra study the effect of changing the user-access policy in London [17].…”

Understanding the Intention to Use Commercial Bike-sharing Systems: An Integration of TAM and TPB

“…For instance, [13] suggested that people who use the bike-sharing systems hold the beliefs that the sharing of bikes makes them more convenient to complete a short-distance travel inside the city, and help reduce traffic congestion as well as environmental pollution. Similarly, [9] suggested that convenience and the desire to avoid theft of private bikes are the key motivators for the system use. Moreover, [59] suggested that mechanisms such as adding stations and real-time bikes, improving bike maintenance and locking mechanisms, are needed to foster the use of bike-sharing service.…”

Willingness to Use a Public Bicycle System: An Example in Nanjing City

“…Bachand-Marleau et al (2012) found that convenience and avoidance of bike theft and maintenance are key factors in the use of the BIXI bike sharing programs in Montreal. Convenience emerged as the primary importance factor for public bicycle system use in studies published in recent years.…”