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This story is written in collaboration with an experimental AI powered assistant. The story does not contain original research and we urge the reader to consult and quote the original sources referenced herein.
Increasing the share of active travel is high on the agenda of many cities, in their attempt to decrease the carbon footprint of transport and creating healthier cities.
In this story we take a look at the impact of bicycle sharing schemes on increasing the modal share of cycling, i.e., the proportion of cycling among all the transport options available.
It has been argued that seeing more cycles on the streets can encourage more people people to take up cycling, and bike share system can thus be an important catalyst in the process.
Shared bicycle systems in China have significantly boosted cycling traffic, with a reported maximum increase in mode share of up to 10%. This rise has been attributed to the convenience and accessibility provided by these bike-sharing services.
The introduction of one of the U.S.’s most successful bike-sharing systems significantly increased Washington, D.C.’s bike commute mode share, which rose from 2.2% in 2009 to 4.5% in 2013, supported by a network of painted and protected lanes and the growth of a bicycle culture.
In its inaugural year, Malmö’s bike-sharing system registered approximately half a million trips, significantly boosting local cycling traffic.
The interactive map below shows a selection of the relevant evidence available in the Urbanixm knowledge engine. The knowledge engine is in a proof-of-concept state of development and more evidence will be added over time.