Bike share user survey suggests half would otherwise have travelled by car

Transport charity Collaborative Mobility UK’s (CoMoUK) latest annual bike share survey has found that around 60% of users of bike rental schemes cycled “more” or “much more” often than they did before bike share schemes existed. And only half of users put themselves in the category “I already cycled”, suggesting shared bike schemes are effective at attracting new cyclists. The analysis also finds that if shared bike schemes were not available, 53% of hirers would have made their last trip by car or taxi.

CoMoUK’s annual bike share report, undertaken in Autumn 2021, is based on responses from users of the 39 UK locations served by bike share schemes (at September 2021 and counting London as one location). Collectively the schemes offered 22,789 bikes across the UK supporting an average of just under 41,600 bike and e-bike trips each day.

The report, produced in conjunction with accredited UK bike share operators and local authorities, received 4,267 responses, which is up from 2,788 in 2020.

Survey questions were distributed via email and social media to users of schemes run by Hourbike, Nextbike, Serco, Beryl, Lime, Ride-on, HumanForest, CoBikes and TfL.

The report highlights the increase in the availability of e-bikes – nine schemes now offer both e-bikes and pedal bikes and further 12 offer purely e-bikes.

E-bike users, the report suggests, were motivated by shorter journey times, tackling hills and avoiding getting tired or sweaty. Nearly one in five e-bike users said the availability of an e-bike helped them overcome health difficulties or low fitness levels, supporting the premise that e-bikes are a tool to wider participation.

CoMoUK chief executive Richard Dilks said the report proved bike share initiatives act as a catalyst for people across the UK to re-engage with cycling.

“Bike share supports health and wellbeing, triggers sustainable travel behaviours, cuts car miles and works alongside bike ownership,” he said.

“There are many personal benefits of taking up cycling and it’s encouraging to see e-bikes becoming increasingly popular.

“Ultimately, if we are to achieve our ambitious net zero targets, we need to address the issue of private vehicle ownership, which massively contributes to the UK’s emissions.

“Shared transport such as bike share schemes, along with car clubs, demand responsive transport and e-scooters, alongside public transport, are the key to achieving our goals.”