AN EVALUATION FRAMEWORK FOR ASSESSING THE 1 IMPACT OF PUBLIC BICYCLE SHARE SCHEMES 2 Corresponding

1 In an effort to address a number of public policy challenges, federal, state and local 2 governments have begun to encourage bicycle riding for transport. When used as a substitute 3 for motor vehicle use, cycling reduces traffic congestion and carbon emissions, and provides 4 a practical source of physical activity, helping to reduce diseases associated with a sedentary 5 lifestyle, such as diabetes. An increasing number of cities are operating public bicycle share 6 schemes (PBSS) to promote greater levels of bicycle riding. This rapid expansion of PBSS, 7 however, has occurred in the absence of a comprehensive evaluation framework to properly 8 assess their effectiveness and impact. The absence of such a framework hinders thoughtful, 9 consistent analysis and constrains the ability to reliably quantify the potential broad ranging 10 impacts of these schemes. Moreover, identifying the determinants and detractors of success 11 of PBSS is an important goal that is greatly assisted by the establishment of an evaluation 12 framework. 13 This paper provides a critical review of the most recent literature on PBSS and 14 identifies substantial gaps in current knowledge. Addressing the gaps, the first conceptual 15 evaluation framework within which the effectiveness of PBSS can be assessed is presented. 16 The framework brings together essential analytical elements required to quantify and assess 17 how PBSS are performing. Using Barcelona’s PBSS as a case study, this paper provides a 18 practical conceptual basis for improving our understanding of how to measure the impact of 19 these increasingly popular PBSS on transport, sustainability, health, and community livability 20 objectives. 21 22 INTRODUCTION 23 Governments have begun to encourage bicycle riding for transport, in an effort to address a 24 number of public policy challenges. Cycling, when used as a substitute for motor vehicle use 25 reduces traffic congestion and carbon emissions, and provides a practical source of physical 26 activity, helping to reduce diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle, such as diabetes [127 3]. In recent years PBSS have emerged to promote increased bicycle riding. What initially 28 began as small pilot projects in some Northern European cities in the 1960s, have expanded 29 into large-scale, city-wide schemes in many European cities, as well as similar, albeit 30 typically smaller programs in the US, Canada and Australia. Hangzhou, China currently has 31 the largest bicycle program globally, with over 60,000 bicycles [4, 5]. The overwhelming 32 majority of the growth in PBSS has taken place since 2005, due to increased public policy 33 focus on bicycle riding and various tracking and payment technologies becoming available 34 and affordable [6]. 35 Contemporary PBSS refer to the provision of bicycles to enable short-term rental 36 from one docking station (where bicycles are picked up and returned) to another. These 37 bicycles usually contain technologies that allow operators to track their location. Members of 38 the public are able to register to hire the bicycles, either online or through information kiosks, 39 although some schemes only allow online registration. These kiosks are generally located at 40 each docking station. Pricing structures typically encourage short-term rental (for example, 41 the first 30 minutes are usually free), after which users are typically charged on a sharply 42 rising scale. Users are generally required to provide credit card details, which act as both a 43 deposit and payment for registration and usage fees. 44 Over the last 10 to 15 years, a range of government programs have served to promote 45 cycling and these can be broadly divided into ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ measures [7]. Soft measures 46 refer to social marketing campaigns focused on providing information to encourage a shift 47 from single occupant car use towards more sustainable transport options, such as car pooling, 48 walking, cycling, public transport and telecommuting. Hard measures relate to changes in the 49 TRB 2012 Annual Meeting Paper revised from original submittal. Fishman, Washington & Haworth 3 built environment that support walking, cycling and public transport (e.g. bicycle paths). 1 Public bicycle share schemes contain elements of both these approaches, as they require 2 significant promotional campaigns, as well as the provision of infrastructure (bicycles, 3 docking stations and signage). 4 Although the rapid growth of PBSS is encouraging from a sustainable transport 5 perspective, very little research has been undertaken to determine their potentially broad 6 impact on transport behavior and consequently, it is difficult to understand the performance 7 of PBSS in terms of reduced emissions and congestion, as well as possible increases in 8 physical activity. 9 This paper builds on current knowledge by describing for the first time an evaluation 10 framework for measuring the overall performance of PBSS. This framework will provide, 11 through future work, the ability to identify and measure the relative importance of factors 12 affecting the level of success of PBSS. These factors, such as location of docking stations, 13 number and availability of bicycles, relative attractiveness as a travel mode, extent of 14 complementary bicycle infrastructure, and safety concerns will be addressed in a separate 15 paper as a result of implementing this proposed framework. 16 LITERATURE ON PUBLIC BICYCLE SCHEMES 17 Public bicycle share schemes have existed for almost 50 years, although the last decade has 18 seen a sharp increase in both their prevalence and popularity, as illustrated recently by 19 Shaheen et al. [6]. In their overview of the state of PBSS globally, Shaheen et al. [6] provide 20 data on the size of various systems, but the current pace of activity is such that published 21 statistics rapidly become outdated. For instance, Washington D.C. is quoted as having 120 22 public bikes in 2010 and whilst this was accurate at the time of publication, a new system has 23 since been established, Capital Bikeshare (CaBi), with 1,112 bicycles [8]. 24 Shaheen et al. [6] summarize the benefits as: 25 Emission reductions 26 Reduced congestion and fuel use 27 Flexible mobility 28 Individual financial savings 29