Evaluation of environment influence on the use of shared bicycle stations

Abstract

Urban densification caused several mobility difficulties such as congestion, traffic accidents and displacement distress for the population. New solutions to urban mobility problems become increasingly necessary to provide better quality of life for users. In this context, The City Hall of Passo Fundo/RS-Brazil recently implemented a bicycle sharing system, called “Passo Fundo Vai de Bici”, in order to assist in the solution of urban mobility difficulties. Therefore, the present work aims to analyze the abovementioned bicycle sharing system in order to diagnose and characterize bicycle stations and their environments. Through this analysis we identified the regions with greatest and least potential for cycling rides. The results showed that the characteristics of the bicycle station environments influence its use, and that the presence of a bicycle path is the most influential factor in the use of shared bicycles in the city. This research led to the proposal of two equations that allow estimating the potential of each station’s utilization. These mathematical models can help the municipality in the decision making regarding the implantation of new stations.