The impact of the social-built environment on the inequity of bike-sharing use: A case study of Divvy system in Chicago

Abstract

Bikeshare is increasingly recognized as a healthy travel behaviour worldwide. However, issues of inequity in bike-sharing usage exist and hinder the social benefits of bike-sharing system. This paper aims to unveil the spatiotemporal evolution of inequalities in bike-sharing usage and their social-built environment correlates, using Chicago’s Divvy system as a case study. Specifically, Gini coefficients and panel data regression models are applied to analyse equity concerns in bike-sharing uses and its social-built environmental factors. Thirty-two disadvantaged communities and forty-five non-disadvantaged communities are identified based on ethnicity, income, and education levels. The Gini index indicates a greater level of inequity and inconsistency in bike-sharing usage within disadvantaged communities compared to non-disadvantaged communities over time. Model results further reveal that built environment factors such as park space positively impact equitable bike-sharing uses in disadvantaged communities. In contrast, the social factor of educational levels in non-disadvantaged communities shows a negative relationship. These findings aim to promote essential, efficient, and equitable bike-sharing usage for Chicago, stakeholders and users.