Heinz Systems Synthesis Team Feasibility Study for a Pittsburgh Bike Share
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Fall 11 Feasibility Study for a Pittsburgh Bike Share Heinz Systems Synthesis Team Steven Clayton, Christina Farber, Steven Green, Ellen Kitzerow, Maxine Markfield, Inyoung Song, Colin White, Yang Yang and Greg Zavacky Heinz College ‐ Public Policy and Management Acknowledgements The Authors of this report would like to thank the following people for their assistance and time over the course of this project: Scott Bricker, Bike Pittsburgh Lucinda Beattie, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Paul DeMaio, Metrobike LLC. Robert Hampshire, Heinz College Sean Logan, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Marc Merlini, JCDecaux Stephen Patchan, City Planning, City of Pittsburgh Patrick Roberts, City Planning, City of Pittsburgh David K. Roger, Hillman Foundation Sara Walfoort, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Wanda Wilson, Oakland Planning and Development Corp. Yarone Zober, Office of the Mayor, City of Pittsburgh We would also like to thank the owners of the images used throughout the report. Bike on grass: Adam Newman, Bicycle Times Bikes in front of PPG Place: Brian Cohen, Pop City Media 2 Table of Contents Section 1. Executive Summary ................................................................................................. 4 1.1 Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Section 2. Pittsburgh Demand for a Bike Share ........................................................................ 8 2.1 Indicators............................................................................................................................................................................. 9 2.2 Survey Findings .............................................................................................................................................................. 13 3. Implementation ................................................................................................................. 25 3.1 Site Suitability and Location Analysis .................................................................................................................... 26 3.2 Program Size .................................................................................................................................................................... 36 3.3 Management Structure ................................................................................................................................................ 43 3.4 Liability ............................................................................................................................................................................... 4 9 4. Paying for a Pittsburgh Bike Share ..................................................................................... 51 4.1 Memberships and Use Fee Revenue ....................................................................................................................... 52 4.2 Private Funding Options ............................................................................................................................................. 57 4.2.1 Local Businesses............................................................................................................................................................... 57 4.2.2 Foundations ....................................................................................................................................................................... 59 4.3 Public Funding Options ............................................................................................................................................... 61 4.3.1 State ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 61 4.3.2 Federal ................................................................................................................................................................................. 62 5. The Case for a Bike Share in Pittsburgh .............................................................................. 64 5.1 Cost‐Benefit Analysis .................................................................................................................................................... 65 6. Next Steps ......................................................................................................................... 71 6.1 List of Next Steps ............................................................................................................................................................ 71 7. Appendices ........................................................................................................................ 74 Appendix A. Local Businesses .......................................................................................................................................... 75 Appendix B. Foundation Options .................................................................................................................................... 79 Appendix C. State Funding ................................................................................................................................................. 80 Appendix D. Federal Funding ........................................................................................................................................... 85 Appendix E. Technology and Design Considerations ............................................................................................. 88 Appendix F. Downtown Pittsburgh In‐person Survey ........................................................................................... 90 Appendix G. Downtown Pittsburgh Online Survey .................................................................................................. 91 Appendix H. Individual Factor Heat Maps ................................................................................................................... 98 Appendix I. Interviews ..................................................................................................................................................... 104 1. Executive Summary 4 1.1 Executive Summary Overview This report disseminates the results of a suitability study of a bike share system for Pittsburgh. Bike share programs offer an opportunity to be at the cutting edge of transportation planning. In 2001, five bike share systems were in place worldwide. This year, 375 systems are operational in 33 countries, constituting a fleet of 236,000 bikes. This growth in bike share programs, taken with the proliferation of bike infrastructure, indicates that bicycle‐as‐transportation is a legitimate mode of transportation today and in the future. This is true of the United States, as it is worldwide. Similarly, Pittsburgh is on the rise. In addition to sitting in the top tier of “America’s Most Livable Cities”, Pittsburgh, for the first time in decades, is getting younger. This report seeks to answer the question: Is bike sharing a good fit for Pittsburgh? To best answer this, the following information was studied: Research on bike share system management structure and implementation; Results of other bike share programs around the world, and; Relevant characteristics about Pittsburgh such as employment, residential and transportation trends. Feasibility Analysis The feasibility analysis reports the results of a study of Pittsburgh and bike‐sharing systems to determine if and how a bike share program will work in Pittsburgh. Studying Pittsburgh, this report analyzed demographic, transportation, employment, housing, and recreation data, in addition to conducting a survey of potential users. To understand bike sharing, outcomes of existing bike share programs were analyzed, current research of trends was consulted, and individuals involved in other programs were interviewed. Analysis of Pittsburgh demographics and survey responses indicated that Pittsburgh contains a strong market for bike sharing. Sixty percent of respondents answered “yes” or “probably” to the question asking if they would use a bike share program. Furthermore, analysis of transportation habits in Pittsburgh indicated a potential for a level of bike share usage in line with other programs in comparable cities. The table below indicates the predicted levels of daily bike share usage in Pittsburgh. Detailed information concerning this analysis can be found in the “Demand Analysis” sections below. Total Trips Bike Station Estimated Estimate Estimate Low 1,380 180 15 Medium 3,102 404 34 High 3,851 502 42 5 An analysis of points within Pittsburgh rated each section of the city on 11 factors that positively influence bike share usage. The map below indicates the areas in the city that will be most likely to host successful bike share stations, where red areas are best suited for bike‐share stations. To determine if such a system can be financially sustainable, a revenue prediction model was developed that included results of the demand analysis. The revenue prediction model projects that in one of the three likely demand scenarios membership and use fee revenues will exceed annual operating costs. A cost benefit analysis also supported the proposition that bike sharing will benefit Pittsburgh. The table below outlines results of the cost‐benefit