Public Bikesharing in North America: Early Operator and ...faculty.washington.edu/abassok/bikeurb/resources/presentations/ma… · • 1st Generation: Free Bikes (“White Bikes”)

Public Bikesharing in North America: Early Operator and User Understanding

Bicycle Urbanism Symposium Washington University

June 20, 2013

Susan Shaheen, Ph.D., Associate Adjunct Professor

Adam Cohen

Associate Researcher

Elliot Martin, Ph.D. Assistant Research Engineer

Overview • Public bikesharing: history • Study methodology

• Bikesharing operations in North America

• N. American bikesharing impacts & developments

• Summary

Bikesharing Generations • 1st Generation: Free Bikes (“White Bikes”)

– Demonstration and provided increased mobility

• 2nd Generation: Coin-Deposit Systems – Emerged from a need to deter theft and incentivize return.

• 3rd Generation: Information Technology (IT) System – Provides real-time information; employs technology to assist

in rebalancing demand.

• 4th Generation: Demand-Responsive, Multi-Modal Systems – Mobile docking stations; smartcard integration with public

transit; bike redistribution innovations; GPS tracking, touchscreen kiosks, and electric bikes.

N. America: Historical Overview • North America’s first IT-based bikesharing system, Tulsa

Townies, started operating in 2007 in Tulsa, OK • First solar-powered, fully automated docking-based system in the

world; provides service free of charge.

• In Canada, first IT-based public bikesharing system, BIXI (BIcycle-TaXI), began operating in 2009 in Montreal

Study Methodology • Operator interviews with all 19 North American IT-

based programs operational as of April 2012

• Conducted 14 interviews with transportation personnel, transit operators, policymakers, and community bike coordinators

• Completed online survey with users of early public bikesharing systems in: Montreal; Toronto; and the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and Saint Paul), Washington, D.C. allowed input to their survey and sent us the data.

• Analyzed operational data from two American operators for 2011

Bikesharing: North America As of January 2012, 19 IT-based programs:

• 216,422 users and 11,473 shared bicycles As of May 2012, there were 21 IT-based based operations. 18 more planned in 2012-2013 (NYC, Chicago, LA, SF)

Shaheen et al., 2012

Seasonal vs. Year-Round Operations


Business Models


Types of Funding/Revenue Sources


16%26%

89%95%

68%

32%26% 26%

16%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Perc

ent o

f Ope

rato

rs

Type of Funding and Revenue

n = 19

Optimum Distance Between Docking Stations


0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Between 100 -300 yards

Between 300yards - 1/4 mile

Between 1/4mile - 1/2 mile

Between 1/2mile - 3/4 mile

More than 3/4Mile

Perc

ent o

f Ope

rato

rs b

y Co

untr

y

Distance

U.S., n = 15

Canada, n = 4

Docking Station Features


Member Survey: Overview

Fall 2011/Early 2012


Program Users Bicycles Stations Sample Size

Capital Bikeshare (D.C.) 18,000 1,200 130 5,248

Nice Ride Minnesota (Twin Cities) 3630 960 116 1238

BIXI-Montreal 40,000 5,120 411 3,322

BIXI-Toronto 4,000 1,000 80 853

Basic City Statistics of Member Survey

1

Transit Facts Washington, D.C. Toronto Montreal Minneapolis-St.Paul

Kilometers of Rail Track 341 373 122 40

Number of Buses 1,495 1,811 1,600 885

Number of Rail (or Metro) Cars 1,106 951 759 27

Unlinked trips 418,125,650 477,357,000 388,600,000 78,048,647

Population Facts Washington, D.C. Toronto Montreal Minneapolis-St.Paul

Population 601,723 2,503,281 1,620,693 667,646

Area (km2) 177 630 365 288

Population Density (pop/km2) 3,400 3,972 4,439 2,317

Year of Data 2010 2010 (transit)2006 (population)

2010 (transit)2006 (population)

2010

Distribution of Key Demographics

4%2%

4%5%

13%

19%

14% 14%12%

7% 6%

0%2%4%6%8%

10%12%14%16%18%20%

Income

0% 2%9%

42% 46%

1%0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%

Education

6% 2%

79%

4% 5% 4%0%

20%40%60%80%

100%Race/Ethnicity

0%

11%

48%

21%

10% 8%1% 0%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%

Age

Bikesharing Trip Purpose 56%

2% 1% 1%

19%

10%3% 6%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Montreal

38%

8% 7%1%

14% 14%9% 9%

-10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Minneapolis-St. PaulQuestion: What is your most common trip purpose for using Nice Ride Minnesota?

N = 123238%

6% 7% 4%

21%12%

7% 5%

-10%0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%

Washington, D.C.

N = 5140

50%

8%2% 2%

11%19%

2%7%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

TorontoQuestion: What is your most common trip purpose for using BIXI?N = 843

Question: What is your most common trip purpose for using BIXI?

Question: What was the primary purpose of your MOST RECENT Capital Bikeshare trip?

N = 3299

Commute Times in the United States

2%4%

7%

14%16%

7%

22%

6% 7% 9%4%

1%

11%

32%28%

11%

6%4% 3% 1% 1% 2% 1% 0%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35% Washington, D.C. and Arlington, VA

Washington, D.C. and Arlington VA(1-year ACS 2010)

Capital Bikeshare, N = 4342

1%7%

14%20% 22%

10%15%

2% 2% 4% 3% 1%

37%

26%

12%8% 7%

2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2% 3%0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%

Minutes to Work

Minneapolis, MNMinneapolis (1-year ACS 2010)

Nice Ride Minnesota, N = 971

Commute Times in Canada

23%18%

13%9% 9%

2%6% 5%

3% 4%0% 0% 2% 0% 1% 2%

41%37%

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%

Montreal, QC

Quebec General Social Survey

Bixi Montreal, N = 2851

20%15% 14%

10% 10%

2% 5% 6%2% 3% 0% 1% 4% 1% 1% 1%

55%

17%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Kilometers to Work

Toronto, ON

Ontario General Social Survey

Bixi Toronto, N = 733

One-way and Round-trip



40%

15%17%

28%

17%19%

27%

38%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Often Sometimes Rarely Never

Montreal

One-way, from station to station, N = 3227

Round Trip, back to the same station, N = 320440%

14% 13%

33%

15%18%

21%

46%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%


Toronto


Round Trip, back to the same station, N = 806

53%

17%

8%

21%26%

21% 21%

32%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%


Minneapolis-Saint Paul


Round Trip, back to the same station, N = 1174

System Activity CapitalBikeshare & NiceRide Minnesota

1

2011 System Data Data Type1st Quarter

(limited data)2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Total

Total Trips 10,976† 374,203 405,450 313,001 1,103,630†

Single-Station Round-Trips

584 24,240 23,643 13,553 62,020

% of Single-Station Round-Trips

5.3% 6.5% 5.8% 4.3% 5.6%

Total Trips NA 60,785 117,219 39,526 217,530

Single-Station Round-Trips

NA 5,840 11,237 2,827 19,904

% of Single-Station Round-Trips

NA 9.6% 9.6% 7.2% 9.2%

† 1st Quarter 2011 Capital Bikeshare data released was a subset (7%) of total trips during the quarter.

Capital Bikeshare (Washington, D.C.)

Nice Ride Minnesota (Minneapolis-Saint Paul)

2011 System Data Data Type 1st Quarter (limited data) 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Total

Capital Bikeshare (Washington,

D.C.)

Total Trips 10,976† 374,203 405,450 313,001 1,103,630†

Single-Station Round-Trips 584 24,240 23,643 13,553 62,020

% of Single-Station Round-Trips 5.3% 6.5% 5.8% 4.3% 5.6%

Nice Ride Minnesota

(Minneapolis-Saint Paul)

Total Trips NA 60,785 117,219 39,526 217,530

Single-Station Round-Trips NA 5,840 11,237 2,827 19,904

% of Single-Station Round-Trips NA 9.6% 9.6% 7.2% 9.2%

† 1st Quarter 2011 Capital Bikeshare data released was a subset (7%) of total trips during the quarter.

Trip Duration



13%

30%

21%

13%

8%4%

2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 2%0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Minutes

Washington, D.C.Capital Bikeshare Operational Data

18%

30%

18%

11%7%

4%2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1%

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%

Minutes

Minneapolis-Saint PaulNice Ride Minnesota Operational Data

N = 217,530 Trips in 2011

N = 1,103,598 Trips in 2011

Modal Shift Question Structure

As a result of my use of <bikesharing>, I use the bus… □ Much more often □ More often □ About the same (bikesharing has had no impact) □ Less often □ Much less often □ I did not ride the bus before and I do not ride the bus now. □ I have changed how I use the bus, but not because of Nice Ride Minnesota.

1

Change in Bicycling

33%28%

7% 6%

27%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

Much moreoften

More often Less often Much lessoften

No Change asa Result ofBikesharing

Montreal

N = 3264

26%

45%

3% 0%

26%

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%

Much moreoften


No Changeas a Result ofBikesharing

Twin Cities

N = 1218 36%

46%

1% 0%

16%

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%

Much moreoften



Washington, D.C.

N = 5219

29%35%

5%2%

29%

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%

Much moreoften



Toronto

N = 842

As a result of my use of bikesharing, I ride a bicycle (any bicycle)...

Change in Driving a Car

0% 0%

25%

12%

63%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%

Much moreoften



MontrealN = 3284

0% 0%

44%

9%

47%

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%

Much moreoften



Twin Cities

N = 1230

0% 0%

30%

11%

59%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%

Much moreoften



Washington, D.C.

N = 5248

0% 0%

19%

6%

75%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%

Much moreoften



TorontoN = 845

As a result of my use of bikesharing, I drive a car...

Change in Taxi Use

0% 2%

27%

17%

53%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Much moreoften



MontrealN = 3280

0% 1%14%

5%

80%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

Much moreoften



Twin Cities

N = 1222

0% 1%

36%

17%

46%

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%

Much moreoften



Washington, D.C.

N = 5201

0% 1%

32%

13%

54%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Much moreoften



TorontoN = 842

As a result of my use of bikesharing, I use a taxi...

With Transit Impacts Minneapolis Seems Different

1

Source: Greg Benz

Change in Urban Rail


2%9%

33%

17%

38%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Much moreoften



MontrealN = 3281

2%13%

3% 0%

82%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

Much moreoften



Twin Cities

N = 1221

1%6%

38%

10%

46%

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%

Much moreoften



Washington, D.C.

N = 5210

1%8%

32%

12%

47%

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%

Much moreoften



TorontoN = 840

As a result of my use of bikesharing, I use urban rail...

Change in Bus



1%5%

30%

17%

46%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Much moreoften



MontrealN = 3280

1%

13% 14%3%

69%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%

Much moreoften



Twin Cities

N = 1219

1%4%

32%

7%

56%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Much moreoften



Washington, D.C.

N = 5217

0% 2%14%

7%

77%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

Much moreoften



TorontoN = 842

As a result of my use of bikesharing, I use the bus...

Change in Walking

6%

20%

34%

5%

35%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

Much moreoften



MontrealN = 3276

6%

31%

22%

1%

39%

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%

Much moreoften



Twin Cities

N = 1221

2%

15%

29%

1%

52%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Much moreoften



Washington, D.C.

N = 5183

4%

17%

39%

7%

33%

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%

Much moreoften



TorontoN = 843

As a result of my use of bikesharing, I walk...

Urban Rail Systems of Cities Surveyed Minneapolis Montreal Washington, D.C.

Toronto

Perceptions of Bikesharing as Enhancing Transit


81%

17%1% 1% 0%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Strongly agree Agree Neutral (no opinion) Disagree Strongly disagree

I think of BIXI as an enhancement to the Montreal public transportation system.

77%

20%1% 1% 0%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


I think of BIXI as an enhancement to the Toronto public transportation system.

N = 841

82%

16%1% 1% 0%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%


I think of Nice Ride Minnesota as an enhancement to the Twin Cities public transportation system.

N = 1233

N = 3291


Bikesharing with Transit instead of Car



20% 21% 19% 21% 18%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Since joining BIXI, I have made trips with public transit and bikesharing (together) that I would have previously done with a car. [Montreal]

9%19% 22%

30%20%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Since joining BIXI, I have made trips with public transit and bikesharing (together) that I would have previously done with a car. [Toronto]

N = 845

19%31%

21% 23%6%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%


Since joining Nice Ride Minnesota I have made trips with public transit and bikesharing (together) that I would have previously done with a car.

N = 1227

N = 3277

Reduction of Vehicle Ownership


7135

398 5530

10002000300040005000600070008000

No Sold or donated a household vehicle

Considered selling a personal vehicle

Since you joined [public bikesharing], have you sold, donated or otherwise gotten rid of a personal household vehicle or considered selling a personal

vehicle?

82

135162

14

0

50

100

150

200

Very important Somewhat important Not at all important Don’t know

How important has your membership with [public bikesharing] been in your decision to sell or consider selling a personal vehicle?

N = 393[B]

N = 8086[A]


Impact on Local Shopping



9%

33%

0% 0%

58%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%

Much more often More often Less often Much less often No Change as a Resultof Bikesharing

MontrealN =…

31%

52%

0% 0%17%

0%

20%

40%

60%

Much more likely Somewhat more likely Somewhat less likely Much less likely Not more or lesslikely, no difference

Washington, D.C.N = 5153 Question: If a business, restaurant, or shop is easily accessible

by Capital Bikeshare, does that access make you more or less likely to patronize that establishment?

7%

38%

0% 0%

54%

0%20%40%60%

Much more often More often Less often Much less often No Change as a Resultof Bikesharing

TorontoN = 841

As a result of my use of bikesharing, I shop at locations near existing bike stations...

Impact on Exercise


34% 39%

18%7% 1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


I get more exercise now that I am a member of BIXI. [Montreal]

19%

39%26%

13%3%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


I get more exercise now that I am a member of BIXI. [Toronto]N = 841

21%

41%26%

10%2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


I get more exercise now that I am a member of Nice Ride Minnesota.

N = 1229

N = 955

Helmet Use with Public Bikesharing


8%12%

8% 10%

62%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Always Most of the time

Sometimes Rarely Never

Montreal

16%20%

14%

50%

-10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Always Sometimes Rarely Never

Minneapolis-St Paul

Question: How often do you wear a helmet while using Nice Ride?

N = 1232

17% 19% 21%

43%

-10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Always Most of the time Some of the time Never

Washington, D.C.

N = 5248

11%

18%

11%15%

45%

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%

Always Most of the time

Sometimes Rarely Never

Toronto

Question: How often do you wear a helmet when using BIXI bikes?

N = 842

Question: How often do you wear a helmet when using BIXI bikes?

Question: How often do you wear a helmet when you use Capital Bikeshare?

N = 3291


Summary • IT-based bikesharing, starting in 2007, has undergone rapid growth in North

America since 2009. – Approximately 20 planned and existing launches for 2012

• User survey indicates modal shift away from all other modes towards the use of the bicycle.

– Everyone is driving less, and bicycling more

– Most appear to be walking less, and bicycling more

– Most also appear to be using transit less, and bicycling more

– The dynamics of where and why bikesharing increases transit use and walking (such as is the case in Minneapolis) need to be better understood.

• Modal shift away from transit may have occurred due to transit congestion at peak times and shorter, faster, or more direct routing with bikesharing.

• Helmet use with bikesharing is limited, likely the result of helmet availabilty.

• Early data suggests the bikesharing may have a positive impact on nearby shopping locations.

Acknowledgements • Mineta Transportation Institute,

San Jose State University • California Department of

Transportation • Adam Cohen, Stacey Guzman,

Rachel Whyte, and Cynthia Armour, TSRC, UC Berkeley

• North American public bikesharing organizations

N. American Public Bikesharing Report

transweb.sjsu.edu/project/1029.html

www.its.berkeley.edu/sustainabilitycenter

Bikesharing Impacts Data

(Year) Trips Per

Day KM Per Day CO2 Reduction (Kg Per Day)

BIXI Montreal 2011 20,000 50,000 8,760

Trips Per

Year KM Per Year CO2 Reduction (Kg Per Year)

Boulder B-Cycle 2011 18,500 47,174

Denver B-Cycle 2011 202,731 694,942 280,339

New Balance Hubway (Boston) 2011 140,000

Madison B-Cycle 2011 18,500 46,805

San Antonio B-Cycle 2011 22,709 38,575


Documents

Public Bikesharing in North America: Early Operator and ...faculty.washington.edu/abassok/bikeurb/resources/presentations/ma… · • 1st Generation: Free Bikes (“White Bikes”)