Evaluating the impact of implementing public bicycle share programs on cycling: the International Bikeshare Impacts on Cycling and Collisions Study (IBICCS)
- Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2019 Nov 20;16(1):107. doi: 10.1186/s12966-019-0871-9.
- 1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada. [email protected].
- 2. Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, 2635 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada. [email protected].
- 3. Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
- 4. Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, 2635 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada.
- 5. Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900, rue Saint-Denis, Pavillon R, Montréal, Quebec, H2X 0A9, Canada.
- 6. École de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal, 7101, Avenue du Parc, Montréal, Québec, H3N 1X9, Canada.
- 7. Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3M7, Canada.
- 8. Family & Community Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1V7, Canada.
- 9. School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Physical Education Building, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1C 5S7, Canada.
- 10. Department of Community Health and Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 3V6, Canada.
Background: Despite rapid expansion of public bicycle share programs (PBSP), there are limited evaluations of the population-level impacts of these programs on cycling, leaving uncertainty as to whether these programs lead to net health gains at a population level or attract those that already cycle and are sufficiently physically active. Our objective was to determine whether the implementation of PBSPs increased population-level cycling in cities across the US and Canada.
Methods: We conducted repeat cross-sectional surveys with 23,901 residents in cities with newly implemented PBSPs (Chicago, New York), existing PBSPs (Boston, Montreal, Toronto) and no PBSPs (Detroit, Philadelphia, Vancouver) at three time points (Fall 2012, 2013, 2014). We used a triple difference in differences analysis to assess whether there were increases in cycling over time amongst those living in closer proximity (< 500 m) to bicycle share docking stations in cities with newly implemented and existing PBSPs, relative to those in cities with no PBSPs.
Results: Living in closer proximity to bicycle share predicted increases in cycling over time for those living in cities with newly implemented PBSPs at 2-year follow-up. No change was seen over time for those living in closer proximity to bicycle share in cities with existing PBSPs relative to those in cities with no PBSP.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that PBSPs are associated with increases in population-level cycling for those who live near to a docking station in the second year of program implementation.