Free Wheel, Free Will! The Effects of Bikeshare Systems on Urban Commuting Patterns in the U.S. . (11th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Dafeng
• Is Part Of: Journal of policy analysis and management. Volume 39:issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 664
• Page End: 685
• Publication Date: 2020-05-11
• Subjects: bikeshare -- bicycle -- commuting -- urban -- transportation; Policy sciences -- Periodicals; Political planning -- United States -- Periodicals; United States -- Social policy -- Periodicals; 353
• DOI: 10.1002/pam.22216
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0276-8739

Abstract

Abstract: Urban bikeshare systems have become increasingly popular in the U.S. in recent years. In this paper, I examine the effects of bikeshare systems on patterns of commuting to and from work in U.S. cities. To study this, I link cities across 2008 through 2016 American Community Survey (ACS) data and estimate the effects of bikeshare systems using both individual‐level ACS records and city panel data. Event‐study estimates suggest that bikeshare systems lead to a rise in bicycle commuting to and from work, and the effects of bikeshare systems are statistically and economically significant. I also find evidence of modal shifts after the introduction of bikeshare systems: While bicycle commuting rates increase, there is a decline in automobile commuting to and from work.