UK’s first research into the impacts of dockless models

Bike Share Users Survey www.como.org.uk 2018 2018 Survey Result Key Findings

THE GENDER SPLIT FOR BIKE SHARE BIKE SHARE IS A TOOL TO SCHEMES IS FAIRLY EVEN INCREASE CYCLING TRIPS

42% 56% 59% FEMALE MALE ARE CYCLING MORE OFTEN

BIKE SHARE IS A TOOL TO RE-ENGAGE BIKE SHARE LAPSED CYCLISTS OFFERS CONVENIENCE

43% 78% HADN’T RIDDEN FOR SAID BIKE SHARE AT LEAST A YEAR SAVES THEM TIME

BIKE SHARE EARLY ADOPTERS LIKE MULTIPLE REDUCES CAR USE OPERATOR CITIES...

14% • MAKE IT EASIER TO FIND A BIKE SWITCHED THEIR TRIP FROM • PROVIDE A WELCOME CHOICE CAR TO BIKE SHARE This report provides an outline of key results from the third annual Bike Share Users Survey, and also reflects upon results from the previous years

Since the 2017 survey, the sector has seen a great deal of to create a more robust data growth with a doubling of schemes and significant changes set. It is a key tool to assess to how the services work. The key differences are: the impacts of bike share and • The introduction of dockless • The introduction of a bike share, which changes particularly popular bike how the UK’s bike share sector how people interact with share scheme in Brighton in the service, allowing drop- September 2017. off of bikes either anywhere is performing. or at a wider number of As well as revisiting previous virtual stations. At the end key policy areas, such as how of the survey (June 2018), bike share can support health there were 10 cities offering and wellbeing, and trigger dockless bikes, although sustainable travel behaviours, some have ceased operation this year’s survey also looked since that time. at any differences between existing and new models. • The introduction of multiple operators into both and Oxford, allowing a choice of bikes but only with the use of separate apps.

Bike Share Users Survey 2018 01 Methodology

The Bike Share User Survey 63% of responses were from 5% were in areas with only a was produced by CoMoUK, users of the Brighton scheme. dockless service operating). 12% (previously Carplus Bikeplus), The remaining responses As these numbers are low, DOCKLESS in conjunction with UK bike were spread between other comments on these types 7% MAINLY USING DOCKLESS BUT ALSO share operators and Local cities with slightly higher of schemes only provide HAVING ACCESS TO STATION BASED

Authority representatives. numbers in London, Reading, initial indications and further 5% DOCKLESS ONLY It was distributed via email, and Lincoln. 69% of investigation will be needed. and social media to users those responding had begun In this study, Brighton has of schemes in 31 towns using their main bike share been deemed as station- and cities, run by Hourbike, scheme in 2018; 14% had done based, although it is a hybrid , , , so in 2017; 15% had done as it allows parking outside of Ponybike, / ITS so between 2014 and 2016; the parking hub under some and Liverpool City Cycles, whilst the remaining 2.5% circumstances. 5% between the 5th May and the had joined between 2009 18th June 2018. and 2013. 7%

In total, 1790 responses TfL sends out its own survey were received, a significant to users of Santander increase from 891 in 2017. Cycles. However, with the It is difficult to estimate the introduction of new operators number of bike share users in the capital, responses were due to their transient nature, received from London also. but it is estimated there are over 600,000 current active Approximately 12% (213) of users in the UK and over responses were from cities 100,000 outside London. with dockless schemes, Therefore, the response rate with around 7% in multiple is approximately 2% of the operator area (their main 88% user group. scheme was the dockless service) the remaining whilst STATION BASED/HYBRID

02 Bike Share Users Survey 2018 Demographic of bike share users

The gender split for bike share When looking at the scheme from the 2018 survey gender split of those who is fairly even, with 56% male have started cycling for responses compared to 42% the first time, or after a of females. This was echoed in break the proportion of previous years’ results. women increased. 50% of respondents in this category 42% 56% were female (whilst 47% BIKE SHARE IS AN FEMALE MALE ATTRACTIVE OPTION were men and the rest FOR MANY UNDER preferred not to reply). REPRESENTED GROUPS, INCLUDING This supports previous WOMEN. CoMoUK survey results which showed that bike share is an attractive option for many under represented groups, ALL USERS including women, as a way of encouraging them to try cycling (again).

Age Annual income Spread 18-74 – majority evenly Responses were received 50% 47% FEMALE MALE spread between 25-54 years from all income groups. old (72%) Of those who answered the question (80%), 29% were Ethnicity on an income of less than White British 73% £20,000 including 12% who were on an income of less than £10,000. NEW/LAPSED Employment CYCLISTS 78% employed, 9% students, 4% retired, 1% unemployed

Bike Share Users Survey 2018 03 Potential to Increasing Health attract new cycling trips benefits cyclists

As with the survey responses A new question in this years Meanwhile, 6% had chosen There is a large amount of from previous years, the data survey asked whether users to get rid of their personal evidence to support the theory indicates that bike share is a had changed the amount that bike. In free text comments, that cycling, and hence bike catalyst to re-engaging with they ride since they started respondents reported on share, impacts both mental and cycling. 23% of respondents using the scheme. Over half difficulties storing or using physical health positively. said they had begun cycling (59%) reported an increase, their own bike due to living after a gap of 5 years or more 40% stating they are cycling in an upper floor flat; fear of Respondents were asked plus a further 20% hadn’t more often and a further 19% theft; and issues with using about time spent undertaking ridden for between 1 and choosing the option of cycling a bike in combination with moderate or vigorous physical 4 years. “much more often.” public transport meaning that activity, both via cycling and the bike share scheme was a non-cycling, in the past week. In some cases, bike share more attractive option if they BIKE SHARE IS A TOOL TO RE-ENGAGE Around a quarter were LAPSED CYCLISTS triggers users to go on to wished to cycle. buy their own bike - 6% achieving the Government of respondents said they recommended amount of BIKE SHARE IS A TOOL TO INCREASE physical activity of 2.5 hours+ had bought a bike since CYCLING TRIPS joining. Given that a further by cycling alone. 56% already own a bike, Overall 78% of respondents it appears that, for many had undertaken some people, ownership and use moderate or vigorous exercise of a bike share scheme are as a result of cycling in the last 43% complementary and used for HADN’T RIDDEN FOR AT LEAST A YEAR week. different types of trips, rather than being alternatives. 59% These results suggest that bike ARE CYCLING MORE OFTEN share provides a useful tool to help increase overall physical activity. BIKE SHARE SCHEMES COMPLEMENT OWNERSHIP EG: THROUGH 1 WAY TRIPS

S R 2.5 H 78% 56% OF RESPONDENTS HAD UNDERTAKEN ALREADY OWN A BIKE SOME MODERATE OR VIGOROUS EXERCISE AS A RESULT OF CYCLING IN THE LAST WEEK 04 Bike Share Users Survey 2018 Health Personal benefits of opting benefits to travel by bike share

Respondents were asked to In free text comments, a • When asked how important TIME 78% choose ‘all that applied’ from number of respondents bike share was as a back up SAVINGS a list of 14 reasons for using mentioned the benefits of to a usual mode of transport, MAKING JOURNEY 79% the bike share scheme. The being able to use a bike 48% agreed (including EASIER 2018 survey results reinforce ‘one way’ – for example, for a number of free text FUN AND 78% previous 2016 & 2017 as well a night out or change in comments about the bike FRESH AIR as previous TFL survey results, weather, then being able to share being their ‘courtesy ENVIRONMENTAL 72% showing that convenience travel back differently. bike’ when their normal bike REASONS (time savings, makes journey was in for repairs, and one SAVING MONEY 66% easier), exercise and fresh • 78% selected fun and recommendation that hubs air were the top reasons for fresh air while 62% of users should be located outside choosing bike share. When selected exercise and 54% bike repair shops). EXERCISE 62% analysing statements where mentioned mental health AVOIDING 61% respondents ‘agreed’ and benefits. • 25% of respondents said CONGESTION ‘strongly agreed’, we noticed: they used bike share as an • Environmental reasons have MENTAL HEALTH introduction to try BENEFITS 54% • T he 2018 survey split the become more important out cycling. over the last two years, AVOIDING WORRY OF MAINTENANCE, previously highest response STORAGE AND THEFT 56% category of “convenience” with 72% of respondents (79.5% in 2017) into two choosing this option GET TO PLACES NOT SERVED 52% BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT options: “time savings” (compared to 63% in 2017). (78% agreed) and “making BACK UP TO 48% • 66% of respondents USUAL MODE the journey easier” (79% reported that using a agreed). Both were popular, AVOID CARRY 45% bike share scheme ON THE TRAIN possibly showing that users saved them money. value being able to switch a INTRODUCTION TO CYCLING 25% walk or bus trip, as well as • Avoiding congestion / doing so without having to parking problems was 20% 40% 60% 80% use their own bike for the ranked next with 61%. whole trip. 45% agreed that bike share avoided them • A significant number liked needing to carry a bike on being able to avoid the the train and 52% allowed worry of maintenance, them to get to places not storage and theft (56%). served by public transport.

Bike Share Users Survey 2018 05 Mode shift

Users were asked how they • Evidence of modal switch WALK 42% previously travelled for the from cars for particular trips trip that they last made by is backed up by a separate BUS 23% bike share. The results were question which asks whether PRIVATE CAR 10% very similar to 2017: users have changed the amount they use their car. TAXI 4% • 42% previously walked 33% said they were using TRAM, TRAIN, 4% their car either much less UNDERGROUND • 23% were using the bus (12%) or less (21%). The vast OWN BICYCLE 7% before, and 4% switched majority of the remaining from the train, underground, NEW JOURNEY respondents were using 7% light rail or tram. their car about the same 10% 20% 30% 40% • 14% (down from 23% in amount. 2017) said they previously • 7% previously used their travelled by car or taxi, own bike ‘suggesting the potential for bike share to reduce • 7% previously didn’t carry congestion and pollution. out this journey suggesting Extracting responses from public bike share is outside Brighton where providing new opportunities car use is relatively low compared with many other cities increases those who BIKE SHARE IS A TOOL TO previously travelled by car REDUCE CAR TRIPS to 18%.

33% SAID THEY WERE USING THEIR CAR EITHER MUCH LESS (12%) OR LESS (21%)

06 Bike Share Users Survey 2018 Multi Trip length Customer modal trips in time satisfaction

Bike share adds flexibility and 26% of respondents used bike The survey asked respondents When asked to rate the A LACK OF COVERAGE & INSUFFICIENT BIKES convenience to journeys and share in conjunction with the to answer a number of different aspects of the CONTINUE TO BE THE is often used as either the first bus, and 21% (down from 40% questions about their most public bike share service, the MAIN COMPLAINTS or last mile of a journey. in 2017) in conjunction with recent trip. The typical length majority of respondents (at the train. The change may be in time was between 15-30 least 75%) stated they were to do with the dominance of mins (37%) or 5-15mins (30%). satisfied or very satisfied the Brighton data. If the average speed is around except for lights (67%) and 10mph, this would indicate gears (72% , whilst 14% said 24% use bike share in most trips are well below dissatisfied - which will may conjunction with the car. 5 miles. be due to a higher number of single speed bikes although this was also an issue in 2017).

Station coverage continued to be one of the lowest rated areas, with 17% of BUS 26% respondents saying they are TRAM, TRAIN, 26% dissatisfied, backed up with UNDERGROUND many free comments. In free- PRIVATE CAR 15% text comments, bike weight PRIVATE CAR 8% was also mentioned as an ( AS PASSENGER ) issue by a number of people. TAXI 7%

10% 20% 30%

FOR 49% OF PEOPLE, THE LAST TRIP THAT THEY MADE WAS COMBINED WITH OTHER MODES.

Bike Share Users Survey 2018 07 Multiple Dockless vs operators station-based schemes

The sample size for those Most (96) said they thought When asked whether users cyclists (who may also in a multiple operator area it made it easier to find a preferred free floating, be more likely to answer was small. Around 100 bike and provides a welcome docked or semi-docked surveys about cycling!) respondents indicated they choice (89). 68 respondents parking for bikes, 51% went had a choice of bike share felt it didn’t caused confusion, for the compromise option • As their motivations were operators, and just under half most others (31) were where bikes are mostly found strong for saving time (87% of these people said that they neutral on this point. There in stations but can be found/ vs 78%) and convenience made use of one or more were mixed thoughts about dropped off elsewhere. Given (87% vs 79%) - it may services. whether multiple operators the high number of responses suggest that this group cause extra clutter, 42 agreed, from Brighton where this are existing cyclists who A similar number (132) 34 neutral and 56 disagreed. is a key feature, this is not particularly value having the commented on the impact of surprising. convenience of a bike where multiple operator systems and they need it. were broadly positive. At the time of the survey, there were 10 cities offering • It would be interesting to compare satisfaction STRONGLY AGREE NEUTRAL DISAGREE STRONGLY dockless bike share. 213 AGREE DISAGREE BIKE SHARE IS A TOOL TO RE-ENGAGE (12%) respondents were with bike coverage for LAPSED CYCLISTS using schemes in these cities free floating bike share, MAKES IT EASIER 35% 40% 17% 7% 1% TO FIND A BIKE schemes with around 7% (133) compared to station-based PROVIDES A of respondents stating their schemes, however most WELCOME CHOICE 29% 40% 20% 8% 2% main scheme was dockless schemes are still relatively CAUSES small pilots so the results CONFUSION 5% 18% 24% 36% 17% (whilst the remaining 5% were using station-based schemes showed no significant WOULD BE OKAY IF THERE WAS in multiple operator cities). difference. ONE APP TO 45% 27% 18% 7% 2% ACCESS THEM ALL We compared the responses • When asked about WOULD BE OKAY • MAKE IT EASIER TO FIND A BIKE IF THERE WAS • PROVIDE A WELCOME CHOICE (from all 213 knowing that their preferred model, 2 OR 3 BUT NO 18% 29% 28% 18% 8% unsurprisingly a higher MORE many in multiple operator cities use both schemes) number of this group chose CLUTTERS THE PAVEMENTS 11% 21% 26% 26% 16% - to the wider group, and free-floating (47% vs 30%) as that is what they are MAKES IT HARDER we found: TO FIND THE 6% 8% 29% 42% 14% experiencing - although 42% SERVICE I WANT • 70% were regular cyclists were still opting for semi- MAKES IT HARDER FOR THOSE (compared to 54% for the docked. (Note that Brighton WITHOUT SMART 18% 31% 34% 7% 8% whole sample) and were users were not included in PHONES TO USE SMARTPHONES more likely to own a bike this sample.) (72% vs 56%) suggesting that dockless schemes initially appeal to keen 08 Non-users

Of those registering with The survey showed that a lack a scheme who indicated of bikes in particular areas that they hadn’t used it discouraged many users from yet, around one quarter trying a bike share scheme. mentioned that this was Not being able to guarantee due to a lack of convenient a bike to use when needed stations, whilst another 19% also resulted in many riders said they preferred to use giving up on using a scheme their own bike anyway (and prematurely. Lack of coverage 14% saw the bike share as a at transport hubs, including back-up for their usual stations, also made many travel mode). journeys impractical.

BIKE SHARE USERS ARE LIKELY TO USE OTHER SHARED MOBILITY SERVICES Use of 1 2 co-mobility 3 services 65% 22% 41% EBIKES RIDE SHARE MOBILITY AS A SERVICE When asked about Significant proportions of attractiveness of other shared respondents, though lower, mobility services 65% said were likely to use car clubs they were likely to use shared (28%), ride share services electric bikes. (22%), shared taxi (32%), Mobility as a Service account (41%) and shared electric scooters (stand up type which are currently not licensed for UK roads 36%; sit down 28% 32% types 36%). CAR CLUBS SHARED TAXIS Bike Share Users Survey 2018 09

(no. 1093980) and Scotland SC044682). CoMoUK is a registered charity in England and Wales CoMoUK is a registered charity in England and Wales

Find out more about bike share online at Acknowledgements www.como.org.uk 0113 410 5261 | [email protected] Thanks to Ian Bewick, of Steer for their support with the survey design process and Sally Cairns, of Sally Registered oce: Cairns & Associates Ltd. for independent review of Kings House, King Street, Leeds LS1 2HH the data analysis.