How can shared bikes reduce carbon emissions in the real world? A theoretical analysis and its policy implications. (19th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Huimin; Qiu, Ping; Wang, Jie; Wang, Yufei
• Is Part Of: International journal of global warming. Volume 25:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 242
• Page End: 256
• Publication Date: 2021-10-19
• Subjects: bike-sharing program -- bicycle-friendly infrastructures -- carbon emissions -- CO2 footprint -- China -- low-carbon transportation -- transportation pattern -- turnover rate; Global warming -- Periodicals; Global warming -- Statistics -- Periodicals; Global warming -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Climatic changes -- Periodicals; Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 363.73874
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-2083

Abstract

The bike-sharing program had experienced a boom since 2015 in many countries. Although society generally believes the shared bike is a low-carbon tool, why and how it can reduce carbon emissions in the real world is still an outstanding question. The study accounted for the shared bike's CO2 footprint, developed a theoretical model for the emission reduction mechanism of the bike-sharing system, and analysed the shared bike's emission reduction benefits based on China's case. Under the current transportation pattern, riding the shared bike for 1 kilometre can reduce 9.54g CO2 . The study identifies four key variables of determining the emission reduction contribution of bike-sharing, including the travel distance, turnover rate, lifespan and replacement rate. The study recommends three key measures to improve bike-sharing management toward low carbon: building bicycle-friendly infrastructures, controlling the total number of the sharing-bikes and shaping a bike-friendly social environment.