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?

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

How Trump's HUD Budget Proposal Would Harm Homelessness Response
Experts say the change to the HUD budget would make it more difficult to identify people who are homeless and connect them with services, and to prevent homelessness.

The Vast Potential of the Right-of-Way
One writer argues that the space between two building faces is the most important element of the built environment.

Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk
High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont