What Determines Bicycle Share Usage?

A recent study synthesizes Capital Bikeshare data in order to help planners assess and improve bike sharing as a viable transportation investment. As the system expands into suburban DC, this research may help predict where it can succeed.

2 minute read

April 12, 2012, 6:00 AM PDT

By Anonymous (not verified)


When Washington D.C.'s Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) program decided to make their trip history data available to the public, they were hoping that an enterprising researcher would use that data to make significant discoveries. Well, after lees than two years of operation, that decision is already bearing fruit.

Utilizing open trip data provided by CaBi, David Daddio, a master's student in the Department of City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, has published a master's paper this month that presents some intriguing findings about how culture and urban spaces affect the way people use bikeshare, which he hopes can help cities refine their bikeshare systems as they grow and mature.

Daddio analyzed the factors behind the number of trips at different Capital Bikeshare stations using a detailed regression of trips taken from stations in the District of Columbia in October 2011. After controlling for 14 variables, the analysis concludes that 5 key factors are associated with a station's usage:

- The population aged 20-39
- The level of non-white population
- The retail density, using alcohol licenses as a proxy
- Whether Metrorail stations are nearby
- The distance from the center of the CaBi system

Daddio measured each variable based on what's within a ¼-mile walk of each station. With that information, he created a suitability map that projects how much monthly ridership a station would get if the District placed one at any particular point in the city.

In the past, North American cities relied on international practices to inform feasibility analyses and planning processes for nascent bicycle share systems. With actual usage, membership, and revenue figures in hand, researchers are just beginning to understand the operational dynamics of the technology in the context of American culture and urban spatial structure. The results of this study point to several conclusions for the Washington region and beyond.

Thanks to David Daddio

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 in Greater Greater Washington

View of Interstate 205 bridge over Columbia River with Mt. Hood in background.

The Unceremonious Death of a Freeway Expansion Project

The end of an Oregon freeway project didn't get much fanfare, but the victory is worth celebrating.

September 19, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

A derelict sign on a barbed wire fence reads “Golf Course, Private, No Admittance.”

Converting Golf Courses to Housing Never as Easy as the Market Would Like

Thousands of golf courses have closed in recent years, but the obvious redevelopment opportunity represented by many defunct courses isn’t always easy to realize.

September 19, 2023 - The Business Journals

Chicago Intercity Rail

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects

Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

September 25, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Close-up of Unalakleet, Alaska on map.

FTA Announces Tribal Transit Program Grants

The agency awarded close to $10 million to 22 communities around the country for transit improvements.

September 27 - Mass Transit

View from inside glass top floor of Amtrak passenger train with Rocky Mountains scenery outside.

Making Colorado’s Front Range Rail a Reality

Local leaders are scrambling to bring together the funding and political support to create new intercity rail service in the fast-growing region.

September 27 - Governing

Students walking on sunny walkway on college campus.

How College Campuses Fulfill an Urbanist Dream

Most college campuses in the United States are inherently walkable, mixing various uses with diverse housing options and transit networks.

September 27 - The Daily

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.