Over the last few years, bike share systems experienced a renaissance as the pandemic forced a hard decline in other forms of public transportation like trains and commercial flights where people wanted to avoid close contact with strangers. While ridership is now on a slow decline, since much of the “normal life” aspects have returned, many people continue to see bike shares as a viable means of transportation, lured by the ease and affordability of getting from place to place.
Bike sharing relies on a large network of self-service bike racks. Typically, a user checks out a bike using their membership on an app, or a one-off situation via a credit card. The person can then ride their bike and dock it at the nearby station of their destination. These bikes are specially designed to be comfortable, and adjustable, and have integrated locking mechanisms, a storage basket, and even a motor on some models. Bike-sharing programs often introduce a new demographic into cycling communities by providing a consistently reliable service. In 2013, a study conducted by the Transportation Research Record indicated that people who participated in bike shares were different from regular cycling commuters- they’re more likely to be younger women who have lower incomes and are less likely to own their own bike or private automobile. Especially in major cities, having stations where people can easily pick up and drop off bikes allows for ease of storage and maintenance.
