How to Make Bikeshare More Popular

While bikeshare is popular with planners and local officials all over the country, in some cities it still hasn't proven popular with people. One author has some thoughts on how bikeshare can begin to attract larger numbers.

1 minute read

February 9, 2016, 9:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Utpal Dholakia examines a potential antidote to the widespread resistance to public transit, in the era of automobile:

Against the backdrop of general malaise and stagnation, public bike-sharing programs feel like a breath of fresh air. These programs are popping up in one city after another across the United States.

The article provides explanation of bikesharing, for the uninitiated, and also provides several angles from which advocates and planners can start to build bikeshare systems that appeal to the masses both as a new form of transit and as an alternative to the automobile. For instance, one potentially appealing aspect of bikeshare is already in place, according to Dholakia:  "Unlike other public transit methods, [Bikeshare] transfers control over getting from point A to point B back to the consumer."

The biggest impediment to bikeshare adoption, according to Dholakia, is the perception of bike safety. Dholakia lays out a gameplan to address the perception of safety on bikes, with more detail in the article: 1) provide clear explanations of risk, 2) target messages for people with different levels of comfort or concern, and 3) target locations for bikeshare where risk is relatively low.

Monday, February 8, 2016 in The Urban Edge

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

34 minutes ago - Newsweek

Close-up on woman in white and blue striped knee-length dress standing next to mint green cruiser bike resting against low wrought iron fence in front of green lawn.

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

1 hour ago - domus

Close-up of man in manually operated wheelchair waiting at urban crosswalk.

Making Mobility More Inclusive

A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

2 hours ago - Greater Good Magazine

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.