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The Platformisation of Cycling—The Development of Bicycle-Sharing Systems in China: Innovation, Urban and Social Regeneration and Sustainability

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  • Giovannipaolo Ferrari

    (DISUFF—Department of Human, Philosophic and Education Sciences, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
    CeRIES—Centre de Recherches “Individus, Épreuves, Sociétés”, Laboratoire de Recherche en Sociologie—ULR 3589, Université de Lille, 59655 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France)

  • Yingxin Tan

    (FISPPA—Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education, and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35139 Padova, Italy)

  • Paolo Diana

    (DISUFF—Department of Human, Philosophic and Education Sciences, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

  • Maria Palazzo

    (Department of Economics, Universitas Mercatorum, 00186 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

In recent years, the widespread introduction of bike-sharing systems in China has had a profound impact on the daily lives of Chinese citizens and the development of the urban transport system. This article attempts to analyse the impact of this phenomenon on sustainability. The gradual improvement of related monitoring measures has facilitated the maturation of the bike-sharing industry from the initial stage of uncontrolled growth to the current stage of standardised management. By tracing the global development of bike-sharing systems with a special focus on China, this study sheds light on the platformisation of bicycles and their multiple impacts on technical, environmental, cultural, economic and social sustainability. Furthermore, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the transformation of bicycles in China and highlights the diverse impacts of platform-based bike sharing on various facets of Chinese society. The development of different bike-sharing systems in China is a unique and crucial case to interpret the current situation of bike sharing and imagine future scenarios. In contrast to the prevailing and uniform approach derived from the experiences of Northern European countries, the massive and widespread experimentation with different bike-sharing schemes in China reveals not only potentials and aspects of sustainability, innovation, and urban and social regeneration, but also some hidden shadows similar to those in small-scale contexts such as Northern Europe. Furthermore, this study emphasises the crucial role of sustainable development principles in addressing the urban challenges specific to China.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovannipaolo Ferrari & Yingxin Tan & Paolo Diana & Maria Palazzo, 2024. "The Platformisation of Cycling—The Development of Bicycle-Sharing Systems in China: Innovation, Urban and Social Regeneration and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:12:p:5011-:d:1413416
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Qianling Jiang & Sheng-Jung Ou & Wei Wei, 2019. "Why Shared Bikes of Free-Floating Systems Were Parked Out of Order? A Preliminary Study based on Factor Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Gössling, Stefan & Choi, Andy S., 2015. "Transport transitions in Copenhagen: Comparing the cost of cars and bicycles," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 106-113.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shouheng Sun & Yiran Wang & Dafei Yang & Qi Wu, 2025. "How Does Sharing Economy Advance Sustainable Production and Consumption? Evidence from the Policies and Business Practices of Dockless Bike Sharing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-29, August.
    2. Chen Deng & Yunxuan Li, 2025. "Dynamic Demand Forecasting for Bike-Sharing E-Fences Using a Hybrid Deep Learning Framework with Spatio-Temporal Attention," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-21, August.

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