Bike sharing services, which debuted in the United States in 2010, provide bicycles for a daily, monthly, annual, or trip-based fee. Traditionally, bike sharing systems have been self-serve station-based, but a growing proportion of systems now have bikes with built-in technology to provide flexible, "dockless" locations for more convenience and wider range of access. Some bike share fleets also include electric-assist bicycles.

Bike share is recognized as an option for first and last mile transit connections, and many are advocating for bike share to be considered as a mass transit option. In addition to improving connections between transit and bike share, several systems across the United States are working to lower the barriers of access. Strategies for expanding bike share usage include increasing availability in more areas, providing flexible payment options, engaging local ambassadors to support outreach, and offering discounted rates.

Resources

National Association of City Transportation Officials Bike Share Initiative provides best practice guidance on a variety of bike share topics and reports on the state of bike sharing in the United States.

Cycling and Scooting Through the Years provides an annual update on bikeshare and e-scooter system data from cities with bikeshare and/or e-scooter systems from 2015 to 2024.

Strategies for Engaging Community: Developing Better Relationships Through Bike Share offers guidance for building meaningful and effective relationships with communities through bike share programs.

Better Bike Share Partnership focuses on sharing best practices for building more bike share systems for replication in other cities.

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Examples

How to Build a Thriving Bike Share System Video shows how different cities are implementing and operating bike share systems.

Boston, MA: First US Cargo E-Bike Share reports on the launch of a cargo e-bike sharing program in Boston, MA.

Regional Bike Share Implementation Plan for Los Angeles County includes business plan recommendations for a regional system, a readiness analysis, and a station siting analysis.

Indego includes a community ambassador program and electric pedal-assist bikes for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bike Share Implementation Strategy for city of Olathe provides a bikeshare plan for a town with a population of about 140k.

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