Bike-Sharing Systems in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou and Their Impact on Travel Behavior

Abstract

Bike-renting systems, also known as bike-sharing systems, have been introduced to some Chinese cities to encourage the use of bicycles and to facilitate green transportation. This paper aims to examine these bike-renting systems and investigate their impacts on travel behavior. We selected three Chinese cities, Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou, for the empirical study. A questionnaire survey of bike-renting system users was conducted in each city. Based on the survey data, the paper first identifies the key differences among the three bike-renting systems, for example, the system in Hangzhou has a strong emphasis on serving the large number of tourists, whereas the systems in Beijing and Shanghai are more oriented to commuters. Comparisons are made in terms of services, facilities, users and operation management. The paper then discusses the impacts on travel behavior in each city. It explains the reasons for the customers' preference of the bike-sharing system, and estimates the effect of substituting bicycles for other travel modes. Finally, in light of the differences in the bike-renting system design and management, as well as in the travel behavior impact, the paper draws some useful lessons. The insights gained from this study can benefit other Chinese cities as they develop or improve their bike-renting systems. They can also more generally enrich the literature on bike-sharing as an approach to promote green transportation.

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