Eric Jaffe dives into evidence that bike share should be considered an essential component of a multi-modal public transit network.
Jaffe's article focuses on a study by Elliot Martin and Susan Shaheen, first mentioned in an article by Gabe Klein earlier this month. The study, "Evaluating public transit modal shift dynamics in response to bikesharing: a tale of two U.S. cities," evaluates survey data from Washington D.C. and Minneapolis "to explore who is shifting toward and away from public transit as a result of bikesharing," as described by the study's abstract.
According to Jaffe's summation, "the maps suggest that bike-share, at least in Minneapolis and Washington, is making the entire multimodal transit network more efficient. For short trips in dense settings, bike-share just makes more sense than waiting for the subway—it's 'substitutive of public transit,' in the words of Martin and Shaheen.
Where Klein took the findings of the study as evidence that cities should rethink transit-oriented development around multi-modal facilities such as bikeshare, Jaffe suggests that we should expand our definition of public transit to include publically funded bikeshare.
According to Jaffe's argument, "with increasing evidence that bike-share can expand or support public transit networks, the case for improving these systems with taxpayer dollars becomes much stronger."
FULL STORY: The Most Persuasive Evidence Yet that Bike-Share Serves as Public Transit

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

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

Poor Conditions in Mobile Home Parks Put Residents at Risk
Failing infrastructure, poor water and air quality, and predatory owners endanger the health of manufactured home residents, many of whom are elderly and low-income.

How Complete Streets Stands to Lose in the FY26 ‘Skinny Budget’
The President’s proposed budget could cut key resources for active transportation, public transit, and road safety programs.

Dairy Queen and Rural Third Places
Dozens of Dairy Queen restaurants across Texas are closing, taking a critical community space with them.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions