CoMoUK report highlights benefits of bike share schemes

The latest annual bike share report by shared transport charity CoMoUK (Collaborative Mobility UK) distills the feedback from 2,824 members of UK bike share schemes to illustrate the various benefits of such schemes as perceived by their users.

When the survey took place at the end of last year, bike share schemes were operating in 43 locations (London being counted as a single entity), an increase of four on the previous year. 13 of these schemes offered pedal bike and e-bikes, while 12 schemes were e-bike only. 

The number of e-bikes in the schemes was found to have shot up to nearly 12,000 from the 2021 figure of 5,000 and six million journeys had been made on them over the year.

The health benefits of cycling are obvious but the report has found that bike share schemes encourage non-cyclists to take it up and existing cyclists to cycle more often.

60% of respondents said that joining the scheme had got them cycling for the first time in at least a year. This includes  26% people who hadn’t ridden for five years or more, and 7% who were new to cycling.

A large number of respondents (76%) also felt they had enjoyed mental health benefits from using bike share schemes.

The economic benefits to users are clear, with 61% of people agreeing that the schemes had saved them money. 74% felt they had benefitted by not having to worry about maintenance and storage.

The most common regular purpose for trips made with shared bikes was commuting and work-related travel with 35% of respondents claim to use bike sharing for this purpose at least once a week.

A female respondent from Manchester added: ‘I enjoy taking a bike to work across the city, especially when I’m late and I would otherwise get a taxi. Taking a bike is more enjoyable, cheaper, and actually quicker than sitting in the taxi in traffic!’

Over half those questioned use bikes simply for pleasure or exercise at least once a month.

Modal shift is of particular significance and the report finds that 37% people would use a car if the bike share scheme was not available. Bikes are also used in many multi-modal trips – 64% of
respondents reported that they combine their most common bike share trip with another means of transport.

Phil Ellis, CEO and co-founder of micromobility specialists Beryl, said: ‘In line with rising cost of living, people are recognising the value of shared micromobility schemes as a more cost-effective and practical alternative to private vehicle ownership. 

‘Using our vehicles is not only convenient, it removes the costs associated with owning a car, such as petrol, tax, maintenance, MOT, storage and insurance – all of which aren’t getting any cheaper.’

CoMoUK have published a document providing bike share guidance for local authorities