British Cycling launch bike share study with University of Salford

British Cycling launch bike share study with University of Salford

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A report by the University of Salford and British Cycling has shown there is an appetite for a good quality bike sharing scheme in Greater Manchester, and has provided insights into how a future scheme could operate.

Researchers looked into people’s attitudes to bike share schemes and studied 2,270 responses to an online survey from people who lived in, worked in, or visited Greater Manchester while the city’s Mobike scheme was operating.

Allison Coles, British Cycling's Research, Insight and Projects Manager, said:

“This research will help cities like Manchester who want to become greener, healthier and happier places to live and work.

“Our own insight consistently reports that easy access to bikes is vitally important if we are to make cycling the natural choice for short journeys. Public bike schemes are a vital part of the public transport network and need investment in the same way as buses and trams do.

“They dramatically raise the profile of short trip cycling journeys in a community, as demonstrated in London over the last decade, and can be an important catalyst for improving public and political support for wider investment in cycling infrastructure."

Researcher Dr Graeme Sherriff from the University of Salford said:

"The survey reveals that there is a place for bike share in Greater Manchester, but it has to be done well. A lot of people wanted to cycle more, and bike share is an attractive way to start - you don't have to invest in a cycle or find somewhere to store one - but the quality of the bikes and the operational area is all important. 

"If the quality isn't right, bike share can intensify some of the barriers that already deter people from cycling, adding to the sense of vulnerability they feel cycling on the road.

"Anyone planning a bike share scheme needs to think carefully about issues such as how the design of bikes can make it a good option for everyone, how it fits in with other public transport services, how they can be provided at strategic points like major employers, and how there can be a mix of docked and dockless bikes."

You can read the full report here.

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