Collaborative mobility charity CoMoUK has found that bike sharing schemes are an effective tool for re-engaging cyclists, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
As part of its Bike Share User Survey 2020, the charity found that over half (55%) of bike-share riders saw ride-sharing schemes as a catalyst to start cycling again.
The report said that lockdown and restrictions on public transport led users to sign up or restart using their local schemes. Some 29% of respondents said they used bike-share modes as an alternative to public transport due to Covid-19.
Furthermore, the results showed a levelling of the gender split of users, with 44% female riders and 53% male. According to CoMoUK, this is the most even split in the five-year history of the report.
Almost all users were aged between 16 and 74, with the majority in the 25-54 category (74%), including 30% in the 25-34 group, 23% in the 35-44 group and 21% in the 45-54 group. An additional 14% were younger than 25, whilst 12% were aged 55 or over.
The survey asked whether users had changed the amount they cycle since starting to use a share scheme. Consistent with previous years, well over half (60%) reported an increase, with 38% stating that they are cycling more often and a further 22% cycling much more often.
When looking at those riding e-bikes only, 27% indicated they were riding much more often.
Additionally, the use of promotions was cited as a reason for re-engaging cyclists. CoMoUK instigated a range of promotions initiated by the Scottish government in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and other cities saw promotions ran by operators themselves.
The charity said all of these discounts had a positive influence, with the free 30 minutes ride standing out as the initiative that had the biggest impact. Meanwhile, some 13% of UK riders and 32% of Scottish respondents attributed their use of the scheme to a promotion.
What’s more, 80% of those who restarted cycling following a free or reduced ride discount said they hadn’t cycled for a year or more.
Richard Dilks, chief executive, CoMoUK, said: “2020 has been an extraordinary year for everyone, and bike share schemes across the length and breadth of the country have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic in both positive and negative ways.
“The first year of this new decade was a year like no other. With further uncertainty expected, I think the many positive lessons from this report are of huge value in navigating these and future times.”
