Public transport, social environment, and Bike Sharing System use to high school: A case study in València (Spain)

Abstract

Urban cycling provides significant benefits for both health and environment. Additionally, due to the demands of contemporary society, it serves as an effective way to promote healthy habits among adolescents. Since high schools (HS) are a primary destination for this age group, the social and environmental characteristics of these institutions can play a critical role in influencing the use of Bike Sharing Systems (BSS). Our study aimed to determine how various sociodemographic characteristics of HS influence BSS use for active commuting to school (ACS) in the city of València, Spain. A Self-Organizing Maps analysis were applied to generate HS profiles, followed by non-parametric analysis to compare these profiles based on HS typology. Four HS profiles were identified. Results indicated a higher use of BSS for ACS in public HS compared to private HS. Lower BSS use was observed in HS lacking public transport and BSS facilities, while private schools generally had better access to public transport resources. Regardless of the socio-economic status of the HS, equal access to public transport resources and BSS stations should be provided to both public and private institutions to foster an active lifestyle for all students. HS located in neighborhoods with low-to-moderate economic status and a moderate risk of vulnerability can still promote the use of BSS for ACS. However, disparities in the availability of resources for ACS are significant, often disadvantaging public HS and schools in the poorest and most vulnerable neighborhoods.