Investigating Impacts of Environmental Factors on the Cycling Behavior of Bicycle-Sharing Users

Abstract

Abstract:As it is widely accepted, cycling tends to produce health benefits and reduce air pollution. Policymakers encourage people to use bikes by improving cycling facilities as well as developing bicycle-sharing systems (BSS). It is increasingly interesting to investigate how environmental factors influence the cycling behavior of users of bicycle-sharing systems, as users of bicycle-sharing systems tend to be different from regular cyclists. Although earlier studies have examined effects of safety and convenience on the cycling behavior of regular riders, they rarely explored effects of safety and convenience on the cycling behavior of BSS riders. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate how road safety, convenience, and public safety affect the cycling behavior of BSS riders by controlling for other environmental factors. Specifically, in this study, we investigated the impacts of environmental characteristics, including population density, employment density, land use mix, accessibility to point-of-interests (schools, shops, parks and gyms), road infrastructure, public transit accessibility, road safety, convenience, and public safety on the usage of BSS. Additionally, for a more accurate measure of public transit accessibility, road safety, convenience, and public safety, we used spatiotemporally varying measurements instead of spatially varying measurements, which have been widely used in earlier studies. We conducted an empirical investigation in Chicago with cycling data from a BSS called Divvy. In this study, we particularly attempted to answer the following questions: (1) how traffic accidents and congestion influence the usage of BSS; (2) how violent crime influences the usage of BSS; and (3) how public transit accessibility influences the usage of BSS. Moreover, we tried to offer implications for policies aiming to increase the usage of BSS or for the site selection of new docking stations. Empirical results demonstrate that density of bicycle lanes, public transit accessibility, and public safety influence the usage of BSS, which provides answers for our research questions. Empirical results also suggest policy implications that improving bicycle facilities and reducing the rate of violent crime rates tend to increase the usage of BSS. Moreover, some environmental factors could be considered in selecting a site for a new docking station.

Differences of Cycling Experiences and Perceptions between E-Bike and Bicycle Users in the United States

“…In most urban transportation systems, there is a growing interest to increase the attractiveness of cycling [1,3]. E-bikes are electric-assist bicycles which can travel longer distances, provide higher mobility, and reduce barriers to users compared to conventional bicycles.…”

Guidelines for Sustainable Urban Transport in Selected Areas of the City of Tshwane, South Africa

“…It could be important for the City of Tshwane to improve cycling safety so as to promote cycling as a sustainable mode of transport. Cycling initiatives that improve safety of cycling tend to increase cycling among the public [27].…”

Critical Factors to Achieve Dockless Bike-Sharing Sustainability in China: A Stakeholder-Oriented Network Perspective

“…Another study also found that suffering from a lack of ancillary, urban cycling facilities significantly impacts the usage of bicycles, and in addition, the interminable sign-up process and mandatory helmet legislation lessen the spontaneity of cycling [11]. A study by Sun et al claimed that traffic accidents and congestion, public transit accessibility and violent crime would influence the usage of public bike-sharing services [24]. With regard to the new-generation of DBSPs, Shen et al investigated bicycle usage in Singapore.…”