How Does Land-Use and Urban Form Impact Bicycle Flows--Evidence from the Bicycle-Sharing System (BIXI) in Montreal

Installed in 2009, BIXI was the first major public bicycle-sharing in Montreal, Canada. The BIXI system has been a success, accounting for more than one million trips annually. This success has increased the interest in exploring the factors affecting bicycle-sharing flows and usage. Using data compiled as minute by minute readings of bicycle availability at all the stations on the BIXI system between April and August 2012 this study contributes to literature on bicycle-sharing. The authors examine the influence of meteorological data, temporal characteristics, bicycle infrastructure, land use and built environment attributes on arrival and departure flows at the station level using a multilevel statistical model technique that is replicable for other regions to adopt. The findings allow the authors to identify factors contributing to increased usage of bicycle-sharing in Montreal and provide recommendations on station size and location decisions. The developed methodology and findings can be of benefit to city planners and engineers who are designing or modifying bicycle-sharing systems with the goal of maximizing usage and availability.

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