The UK’s 39 bike rental schemes have reduced car mileage for each user by an estimated 3.7 miles every week, according to the latest report by transport charity Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK).
The CoMoUK Annual Bike Share Report 2021 found an average of 41,599 trips are made each day using a bike share schemes. With 53% of respondents reporting that they would have made their last journey using a vehicle, personal or taxi, if the hired bike had not been available.
Furthermore, 49% said joining a bike share scheme was a catalyst to them cycling for the first time in at least a year, including 6% who took up cycling for the first time.
Respondents were also asked how often they use bike share for a range of different journey purposes. The most common trip purposes were commuting and trips for pleasure, although at least 15% of people were using bike share regularly for all trip purposes listed.
Of those surveyed, 31% of respondents were using a bike to travel to work at least once a week. In comparison, this was only 17% in 2020, down from 30% in 2019, CoMoUK added this likely illustrated a temporary dip due to Covid-19. About half of all respondents use bike share for commuting at least once a month.
When looking at e-bike schemes, the report found of those using e-bikes 34% said they were replacing car or taxi trips of more than five miles per week, compared to 24% of non e-bike users.
Chief executive of CoMoUK, 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 – with no significant age differences between e-bike riders and the whole group, demonstrating their appeal to all generations.
“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.”
Additionally, the report highlighted that over the last 12 months new schemes have launched, including in Cambridge and York. While eight schemes operate alongside e-scooter trials.
CoMoUK called the closure of the Edinburgh scheme “disappointing” but was pleased “to see the renewed commitment from the city authorities to re-launch it.”
