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Is Bicycling Contagious? Effects of Bike Share Stations and Activity on System Membership and General Population Cycling

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Listed:
  • Jessica Schoner
  • Greg Lindsey
  • David Levinson

    (Nexus (Networks, Economics, and Urban Systems) Research Group, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota)

Abstract

This paper presents new evidence about the role of bike share systems in travel behavior using a diffusion of innovation framework. We hypothesize that bike share systems have a contagion or spillover effect on (H1) propensity to start using the system and (H2) propensity to bicycle among the general population. We test the first hypothesis by modeling membership growth as a function of both system expansion and the existing membership base. We test the second hypothesis by using bike share activity levels near one’s home in a model of household-level bicycle participation and trip frequency. Our study shows mixed results. Bike share membership growth appears to be driven, in a small part, by a contagion effect of existing bike share members nearby. However, we did not identify a significant relationship between proximity to bike share and cycling participation or frequency among the general population. The findings hold implications for marketing, infrastructure investments, and future research about bike share innovation diffusion and spillover effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica Schoner & Greg Lindsey & David Levinson, 2015. "Is Bicycling Contagious? Effects of Bike Share Stations and Activity on System Membership and General Population Cycling," Working Papers 000137, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:nex:wpaper:bicyclingcontagious
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/11299/180073
    File Function: First version, 2015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aldred, Rachel & Jungnickel, Katrina, 2014. "Why culture matters for transport policy: the case of cycling in the UK," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 78-87.
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    4. Parkes, Stephen D. & Marsden, Greg & Shaheen, Susan A. & Cohen, Adam P., 2013. "Understanding the diffusion of public bikesharing systems: evidence from Europe and North America," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 94-103.
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    6. Fuller, D. & Gauvin, L. & Kestens, Y. & Daniel, M. & Fournier, M. & Morency, P. & Drouin, L., 2013. "Impact evaluation of a public bicycle share program on cycling: A case example of BIXI in Montreal, Quebec," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(3), pages 85-92.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • L91 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Transportation: General
    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • R42 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government and Private Investment Analysis; Road Maintenance; Transportation Planning

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