# An Overview of Shared Mobility Operational Models in Europe
## 4 Bikesharing
### Operational Models  
There is a lot of ambiguity in defining models of bikesharing. In some studies [9; 52; 54], models of bikesharing are defined as dock-based and dockless systems, but in other studies [59; 60; 61], models of bikesharing are defined as station-based and free-floating. Further, [55] states that there are one-way (point-to-point) and round trips. two models of bikesharing can be said to be adopted in the scientific world [9; 60; 62], but according to [59], three models of bikesharing are defined: round-trip, free-floating, and peer-to-peer. A clear and consistent classification of bikesharing models is necessary to avoid ambiguity and ensure conceptual clarity. Round-trip bikesharing is a station-based system, but the drop-off location needs to be the same as the pick-up location. Free-floating bikesharing is a system in which bikes can be dropped off at any location and not specifically at the pick-up location. The manual states that a one-way bikesharing system is similar to a free-floating model when it includes a network of docking stations or geofenced zones. However, this logic is flawed. A truly free-floating system, by definition, does not have docking stations. If docking stations are present, the system is station-based, which can then be categorized as either two-way (round-trip) or one-way. From a logical standpoint, a one-way station-based system can also be used as a two-way station-based system, whereas a two-way station-based system cannot function as a one-way system. Therefore, the term \"one-way\" is not technically accurate because the trip itself may be one-way, but the system does not prohibit returning the bike to its original location.  
Bikesharing usually works in such a way that bicycles can be rented at certain locations that are strategically placed close to major attractors and producers of travel. These are usually public transport stations or terminals, railway stations, and tourist attractions. The use registers via a website or smartphone application and, depending on the service provider, chooses one of the offered packages to start using the service.  
In Figure 2, [63] created a typology of bikesharing models. Regarding the details in topology and the fact that it encompasses all models currently in use, it can be said that this is the best definition, and that all future definitions should be linked to this topology--except for the term \"one-way\", as it was previously stated that this terminology is not technically accurate.  
Figure 2: Models of bikesharing.  
As [64] states, the bikesharing industry is undergoing significant changes due to new technologies and business models, leading city governments to reassess their investments. By early 2019, private companies were launching and managing bikesharing services without public subsidies. The impact of emerging e-scooters on bikesharing systems is unclear, with some cities seeing increased bikesharing usage and others experiencing a decline. The merger of tech firms and vehicle manufacturers with bikesharing companies adds further uncertainty to the future of bikesharing.