Modeling the Reductions in Carbon Emissions Resulting from Public Bicycles

There is mounting concern about low-carbon travel in order to reduce traffic congestion, improve environmental quality and save energy. Meanwhile, the public bicycle has been promoted worldwide as an energy-efficient and non-polluting travel mode. Based on the determination of carbon emissions factors, this paper studied the carbon emissions of different traffic modes and different traffic conditions, and established the carbon emissions reduction model of public bicycles. Taking Beijing as an example, on the basis of thorough investigation and research, this study calculated the carbon emissions reduction of Beijing public bicycles in July 2013. The purpose of this paper was to quantify the public bicycle's contribution to the environment and demonstrate whether the public bicycle, as the low-carbon travel mode promoted by the government, was a more cost efficient solution.