Succeeding without success: Demonstrating a residential bicycle sharing system in Sweden. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Henriksson, Malin; Wallsten, Anna
• Is Part Of: Transportation research interdisciplinary perspectives. Volume 8(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Sharing -- Bike-sharing system (BSS) -- Transition -- Niches -- Demonstration; Transportation -- Periodicals; 388.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trip.2020.100271
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2590-1982

Abstract

Highlights: Residential bike sharing systems challenge the entrenched automobility regime. Niche-arenas need reasonable conditions and resources to alter regimes. Configurations contributing to sustainability might be dismissed if they are not profitable. Public actors should therefore take a more active role in sustainable mobility transitions. Abstract: Various services based on sharing have recently emerged in cities across the globe. They entail promises of a more sustainable mode of transportation. Through an in-depth case study, this paper follows the undertakings within a recent demonstration project aimed at implementing a residential bike-sharing service. The involved actors succeeded in presenting a functional service but failed to make the service commercially viable. Consequently, the configuration did not spread beyond the niche level. Based on this finding, the paper identifies a risk in enforcing progressive solutions to becoming commercialised, and urges public actors to play a greater role in steering the transition towards a more sustainable future transport system. By shedding light on the process of failing, the paper contributes important lessons concerning the setup of future bike-sharing systems that can challenge the automobility regime.