Bike Share Could Help Increase Transit Ridership

Transit ridership is dropping, but a closer look at causes points to the role bike share could play in making transit a better option.

1 minute read

March 19, 2019, 10:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


Capital Bikeshare D.C.

Ben Schumin / Wikimedia Commons

Alissa Walker reviews recent research about the causes of declining transit ridership in cities across the country. An analysis by researchers at the University of Kentucky shows that the introduction of bike share results in increases in rail ridership but decreases in bus ridership. In addition, ride-hailing operations in cities appear to lead to ridership decreases on both modes over time.

But shared mobility’s influence on transit ridership is not entirely clear cut. A new TransitCenter report says that ride-hailing services are drawing people away from transit, but riders are not completely abandoning transit. Instead, many are scaling back and replacing some transit trips with car trips.

These findings, along with Uber’s announcement that more people in Sacramento made trips on electric Jump bikes than in Uber vehicles in October 2018, indicate that bike share might play an important role in making transit a more viable option for travelers, particularly in places where shorter trips are the norm, says Walker.

"Providing better bus service should absolutely be an important priority for cities to improve transit ridership. But cities shouldn’t ignore the power of providing ubiquitous bikes and safer infrastructure to help capture transit-savvy riders as they’re making decisions about their next move," concludes Walker.

Thursday, February 28, 2019 in Curbed

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

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?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today