Analyzing the transition from a public bicycle system to bicycle ownership: A complex relationship. (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Castillo-Manzano, José I.; Castro-Nuño, Mercedes; López-Valpuesta, Lourdes
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 38(2015)
• Page Start: 15
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: Public bicycle sharing system -- Bicycle ownership -- Bicycle-buying decision -- Cyclists' perceptions -- Discrete choice; Transportation -- Research -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 354.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2015.04.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1361-9209

Abstract

Highlights: PBSS in Seville attract more users away from private bicycle than it transfers to it. Age and gender are not conclusive factors for transitioning to the private bicycle. A healthier lifestyle and regular use of bicycle favor the bicycle-buying decisions. Both lack of proper parking and fear of theft limit the bicycle ownership and usage. Abstract: Despite the success achieved by Public Bicycle Sharing Systems (PBSS) across the world, several researchers provide evidence on their limitations and constraints in a medium-long term, and bicycle ownership may be considered as a complementary tool to promote a 'bicycle-culture'. This paper aims to cover the gap about the interaction between both systems (public bicycle/private bicycle) and which are the key aspects to explain the bicycle-buying decision. After a fieldwork based on surveys conducted in Seville (Spain), one of the cities currently acknowledged worldwide for its successful policy of promoting cycling, we apply a Discrete Choice Model. Our findings show that among the socio-demographic factors that favor the move from the PBSS to the private bicycle are: having a higher level of education, being more progressive ideologically-speaking, and being a resident of the city itself; while age and gender do not appear to be conclusive. Experienced users, for whom the bicycle is a part of his/her healthy lifestyle, state a greater willingness to buy a bicycle. And the main obstacles to make the jump from the PBSS to the private bicycle, and that any action plan to support private bicycle usage should take into account, are: the lack of proper parking at the origin/destination, and fear of theft.