Impact of COVID-19 on the Belfast Bike Sharing Scheme

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the connectivity and mobility of Northern Irish residents to a halt forcing the bike hiring service Belfast Bikes to cease operations. After reintroducing the service in Summer 2020, the usage of the bike hiring service was severely impacted. This paper investigates the usage of Belfast Bikes pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. Research includes how consumer trends for Belfast Bikes customers changed due to the pandemic and predictive modelling is used to predict whether customers hire a Belfast Bike for direct travel from stations or for an indirect, leisurely trip. We will conclude how the connectivity and mobility of Belfast residents have changed due to the pandemic and provide recommendations for Belfast Bikes and Belfast City to recover after the pandemic.