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What is bikeshare?

What are the benefits?

A public bike share program is part of an integrated transportation system. It has shared bicycles that can be rented from and returned to stations located throughout a city.  The use is generally one way, though recreational users may use them for a round trip. Anyone aged 16 or older can use a shared bicycle for a small fee on a short-term basis. The average trip of bike share programs studied is 2.16 km, lasting about 19 minutes.

 

Program participation is facilitated through daily, monthly, or yearly paid memberships that are purchased prior to renting a bicycle. 

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Commuting, shopping, recreation and tourism are main reasons for public bicycle use. Additionally, bike share image seems to be a bike culture stimulant and is positive for community health.   Notable increases in public and private bicycle use have been experienced in cities that have implemented a bike share program.

  • Reduce greenhouse gases

  • Reduce traffic congestion

  • Improve health through increased physical activity

  • Create a feeling of community

  • Stimulate local businesses proximal to stations

  • Elevate city status to one of a bike friendly culture

  • Increase park and trail usage

  • Introduce an activity based movement in business

  • Change the way people commute

  • Increase transit reach and usage

  • Move towards gender equity in transportation

  • Install bike user infrastructure in zones targeted (showers, lockers, etc.)

Why Windsor needs one

Bike sharing is a relatively inexpensive and quick way to increase transportation access throughout an urban area, compared to other transportation modes. Cities with existing programs have benefited from the bicycle sharing program flexibility, as they can be installed and usable in months rather than years like traditional transit options.

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Bike sharing also reduces the personal cost of urban transportation by offering an affordable public option. Most current bike sharing pricing takes this into consideration by giving the first 60 minutes of every ride for free, encouraging high turnover of the bikes and increased probability of stations having sufficient bicycles available to meet demand.

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