Where Do Bikeshare Bikes Actually Go?: Analysis of Capital Bikeshare Trips with GPS Data

Bikeshare systems with docking stations have gained popularity in cities throughout the United States—and have increased from six programs with 2,300 bikes in 2010 to 74 systems with 32,200 bikes in 2016. Even though bikeshare systems generate a wealth of data about bicycle checkout and check-in locations and times at docking stations, virtually nothing is known about routes and activities undertaken between checkout and check-in. Such information could greatly enhance expansion of bikeshare systems, placement of new docking stations, and location of new bike lanes and paths. In pursuit of such information, the District Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C., placed GPS trackers on 94 Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) bikes in the spring of 2015. On the basis of these data, this geographic information system analysis distinguished riders by type of CaBi membership, identified popular routes, analyzed bicycle infrastructure use, and examined stops and dwelling times at places of interest. Results showed strong differences in trip attributes between types of membership. Trips taken by short-term users were longer in distance, slower than long-term users’ trips, and concentrated in and around the National Mall, whereas long-term users’ trips were concentrated in mixed-use neighborhoods. Short-term users rode 12% of their miles on dedicated bicycle infrastructure, 61% in parks, and 27% on roadways with motorized traffic, whereas for long-term members the percentages were 33%, 17%, and 50%, respectively. On the basis of the routes taken in this study, potential locations were recommended for bicycle infrastructure improvements and new bikeshare stations.