New York and Chicago asked residents to suggest sites for new docking stations. Most were not put at those locations, but that doesn’t mean collecting public input is not a useful and important part of the planning process, say researchers.
A study about bikeshare and public participation shows that most docking stations are not sited in locations recommended by the public. New York solicited input for its 2014–2015 expansion, and just 5 percent of new stations were built near the 2,000 sites suggested. In Chicago, 10 percent of new docking stations were near locations recommended through an interactive online map.
But, these findings do not necessarily indicate that public officials and planners do not consider public input, say researchers Greg Griffin and Junfeng Jiao. Many considerations go into the design of a bikeshare system, including prioritizing gaps in the network, finding locations where stations can be placed, and contending with public resistance to proposed dock sites.
Griffin and Jiao say that their analysis provides useful lessons for cities about engaging residents. "The online maps enabled residents to take direct action in planning their cities, rather than just commenting on the ideas of planners—or waking up to discover a docking station had been built outside their door," they note.
In addition, they say engagement efforts that leave records, such as the bikeshare ones in New York and Chicago, allow researchers to better understand the outcomes and effectiveness of public outreach.
FULL STORY: Why Do Cities Discount Public Input in Expanding Bikeshare Systems?
Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary
Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.
Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024
A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.
Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts
From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.
Orlando Pledges to Improve Walkability
A city report highlights successes and failures in building safer transportation infrastructure and reducing VMT in 2023.
New York Transit Agency Launches Performance Dashboard
The tool increases transparency about the agency’s performance on a variety of metrics.
Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding
The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.
City of Rochester
Boston Harbor Now
City of Bellevue
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Birmingham, Alabama
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.