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Exploring Dockless Bikeshare Usage: A Case Study of Beijing, China

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  • Zheyan Chen

    (Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Dea van Lierop

    (Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Dick Ettema

    (Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

The rapid emergence of dockless bikeshare systems has had a considerable influence on individuals’ daily mobility patterns. However, information is still limited regarding the role that sociodemographics, social environments, travel attitudes and the built environment play on the adoption and usage of dockless bikeshare systems. To gain insight into what influences individuals to start and continue to use dockless bikeshare systems, this study sets out to assess the influential factors that are related to individuals’ initial adoption and frequency of usage of this transportation mode. A survey was conducted among the residents of Beijing to assess their usage of dockless bikeshare systems. A binary logistic regression is employed to assess travel mode adoption, and a set of hurdle negative binominal regressions is used to assess the travel frequency for four trip purposes. The results reveal that dockless bikeshare systems are more popular among younger, higher educated, or median-income groups and appear to be gender-independent. The total number of kilometers of roads within an individual’s neighborhood was reported to be positively associated with having higher odds of dockless bikeshare adoption, while the total length of bicycle paths does not show a significant relationship. Having a pro-bicycle attitude was found to play a strong positive role in deciding whether to use the dockless bikeshare system initially, but it became less important in determining bikeshare users’ frequency of usage. Finally, this study confirms that it is relevant to consider various trip purposes when exploring individuals’ travel behavior and dockless bikeshare usage.

Suggested Citation

  • Zheyan Chen & Dea van Lierop & Dick Ettema, 2020. "Exploring Dockless Bikeshare Usage: A Case Study of Beijing, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:1238-:d:318194
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Xiaoquan Wang & Weifeng Wang & Chaoying Yin, 2023. "Exploring the Relationships between Multilevel Built Environments and Commute Durations in Dual-Earner Households: Does Gender Matter?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-17, March.
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    4. van der Craats, Jasmijn & van Lierop, Dea & Duran-Rodas, David, 2025. "Social inclusion in sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMPs): The case of shared mobility in Utrecht, the Netherlands," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    5. Roig-Costa, Oriol & Miralles-Guasch, Carme & Marquet, Oriol, 2024. "Shared bikes vs. private e-scooters. Understanding patterns of use and demand in a policy-constrained micromobility environment," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 116-125.
    6. Mora, Rodrigo & Miranda-Marquez, Sebastián & Truffello, Ricardo & Sadarangani, Kabir P., 2024. "Bikesharing and ordinary cyclists from Chile: Comparing trips, attitudes, and health-behaviours," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    7. Wang, Wei & Miao, Wei & Liu, Yongdong & Deng, Yiting & Cao, Yunfei, 2022. "The impact of COVID-19 on the ride-sharing industry and its recovery: Causal evidence from China," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 128-141.
    8. Teixeira, João Filipe & Silva, Cecília & Moura e Sá, Frederico, 2023. "Factors influencing modal shift to bike sharing: Evidence from a travel survey conducted during COVID-19," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    9. Teixeira, João Filipe & Silva, Cecília & Moura e Sá, Frederico, 2022. "The strengths and weaknesses of bike sharing as an alternative mode during disruptive public health crisis: A qualitative analysis on the users’ motivations during COVID-19," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 24-37.
    10. Weichang Kong & Dorina Pojani & Neil Sipe & Dominic Stead, 2021. "Transport Poverty in Chinese Cities: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-24, April.
    11. Rahman, M. Shafiq-Ur, 2020. "Public bike-sharing schemes (PBSS): Prospects in Bangladesh," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 207-224.
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