Due to the speed and distance limitations presented by bicycle travel, this form of public transportation usually replaces short auto and transit trips. In established systems, trip lengths typically average between one and three miles, and last between 15 and 30 minutes. Bike share provides an alternative to short car trips and acts as a solution to first mile/ last mile barriers, which may otherwise prevent the use of transit.
Planning
1. Consider flexible bike share models with zone-based service areas to minimize costs from start-up or relocating hubs after initial.
2. Identify areas expected to have highest demand for initial implementation.
3. Consider siting in shared mobility hubs, near transit centers and in peripheral neighborhoods with gaps in transit service.
4. Consider siting bike share in communities of concern.
5. Consider siting bike share in areas with low transit coverage, regardless of productivity.
6. Review site requirements for various site types identified as priorities.
The Shift Bike Share Feasibility Study recommends operating models, priority initial locations, and site design considerations.
Policy
7. Dedicate public space for hubs in areas of high activity, near downtowns & transit hubs.
8. Require or encourage new bike share infrastructure in conjunction with other public projects and new infrastructure and development.
Coordination
9. Coordinate countywide implementation via the SCTA/RCPA.
10. Include bike share information on any web-based transit trip planning tools or informational sites.
11. Consider multi-jurisdictional and/or public private partnerships to serve travel across city or county lines and along the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) corridor
12. Post wayfinding and signage directing users between bike share and transit hubs.
13. Advertise bike share at transit hubs and on transit vehicles.
Deployment
14. Make discounted bike share memberships or payment plans available for low income residents, coupled with solutions for unbanked customers
15. Ensure a way to utilize bike share service without a smart phone.
16. Establish more accurate local implementation cost estimates.
17. Secure funding for start-up costs from grants, business sponsors, transit-operators, nonprofits, or other partners.
18. Launch bike share system or expansion in conjunction with new bicycle infrastructure.
Education and Awareness
Car share has many co-benefits, including:
» Relatively low-cost and quick to implement compared to transit and roadway improvements
» Increases both bicycle and transit mode share
» Attracts visitors and can boost economic development
» Encourages new riders by reducing barriers such as owning, transporting, and storing a bicycle
» Is an affordable mode of transportation
The work upon which this publication is based was funded in whole or in part through a grant awarded by the California Strategic Growth Council.
The statements and conclusions of this report are those of the SCTA/RCPA and/or Subcontractor and not necessarily those of the California Strategic Growth Council or of the California Department of Conservation, or its employees. The California Strategic Growth Council and the California Department of Conservation make no warranties, express or implied, and assume no liability for the information contained in the succeeding text.
