Background and Purpose
Successful bikesharing programs have been launched in many major metropolitan areas around the US, Canada, and abroad. Bikesharing provides an opportunity for users to be physically active, by providing a network of bicycles and stations that serve and connect key destinations across a region, providing short-term bicycle rentals to those that may not otherwise have access to one. They can facilitate transit use by providing a means to travel to destinations that are too far to walk. As bikesharing programs have gained popularity and momentum, cities and regions of all sizes are beginning to plan for new systems. The purpose of this presentation is to provide insight into what makes a successful bikesharing program, and discuss the health benefit of example existing systems to benefit future planning efforts for new systems.
Description
This presentation will share insights into development of bikesharing programs based on feasibility studies for Monterey County and Santa Monica, California and evaluation of physical activity levels generated by existing systems in four metropolitan regions in the U.S.. Underlying factors that are critical to the success of a bikesharing program were identified using an analysis and evaluation process in a geographic information system (GIS) database. Physical activity generated through use of existing bikesharing programs was quantified using calorimeters mounted on each bicycle. Bicycle usage, station information (number and location), and physical activity levels were summarized and compared in each region. Additional comparisons across the metropolitan areas were developed based on built environment and land use characteristics, baseline health variables, and demographics data from the U.S. 2010 census and CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to determine the effect of the bicycle share system on physical activity and health indicators. The relationship between these factors and potential health impacts at each proposed station was estimated using regression analysis.
Lessons Learned
The analysis identified key variables that affect bikesharing station ridership, including population and employment density, the number of people who commute by bicycling, walking, and transit, and the proximity to other bikesharing stations. A dense, contiguous network of bike-sharing stations contributes significantly to ridership, even when controlling for other demographic and built environment variables. The ridership for each station is important to identify appropriate station locations, determine an appropriate system size and service area, and estimate revenues and costs of the system. If station locations are identified that will serve the greatest number of riders, it is expected that more physical activity benefits will be gained from the system, improving potential health outcomes.
Conclusions and Implications
Links between regular physical activity and improved health have been established in many studies. Providing opportunities in urban areas for increased active transportation allows for increased physical activity, resulting in improved health, and reduced impacts from vehicle travel, including congestion, safety (such as injury and fatal collisions), and air quality and emissions. Bikesharing programs also can make bicycling more visible, which may encourage other users to bike.
Next Steps
The study can be expanded by including multiple agencies, as many existing bikesharing programs are operational or currently in the planning stages. Before and after assessments may also show the relationship of health effects of these programs. More research on the safety of bikesharing programs (including prevalence of bicycle facilities and infrastructure, helmet use by participants, etc.) is needed to understand the potential risks related to bikesharing programs.
Support / Funding Source
Funds for this research were generously provided by Fehr & Peers, and used to develop station-level ridership forecasts for bikesharing feasibility studies for Monterey County and Santa Monica. Special thanks to research efforts conducted by Julie Bjornst.
