Public Bicycle Share System

सार्वजनिक सायकल व्यवस्था 

One of the components of the proposed Cycle Plan for Pune is a Public Bicycle Share system. What is a Public Bicycle Share System? How does it work? Read on … 

Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) is a term for the use of bicycles on a need basis for short trips without having to own one.

Users can check out a cycle from any cycle station at any time of the day, use it to go anywhere they want to, and then return it to any cycle station located nearby their destination.

Such stations are usually placed near popular destinations, BRT or other bus stops, train stations, and other areas where errands or journeys close by can be easily made on a cycle. Depending on the size of the city, a PBS may have several hundred to a few thousand bicycles and there may be a few hundred bicycle stations across the city.

A smart card linked to the PBS, or a cell phone application developed for the PBS, credit card or any other form of identification is used for registering a user as a member of the PBS.

The bicycles are specially designed to be easy to ride for both women and men of different heights, sturdy, with mechanisms to prevent theft and vandalism, and with space for branding for easy identification and advertising which helps off-set the cost of hiring cycles.

Bicycle sharing systems are operational in over 200 cities around the world such as in London, New York, Washington DC, Paris, Shanghai, Hangzhou (video), Toronto, Montreal, Barcelona etc.  (You can read an article about the top bicycle sharing systems in the world.)

Cycle sharing provides an ideal transport solution for short trips and a feeder to other public transport options. Cycle sharing can help reduce pollution, reduce traffic noise, improve safety on the roads. For users, it is a healthy mode of transport, often quicker than other modes for short distances, without the need to maintain the cycle or worrying about where to park. 

Key characteristics

• High quality and durable bicycles
• A large number of bicycle stations across the city where a user can pick up or drop the PBS bicycle
• Users benefit from hiring cycles for various short trips during the day
• Payment and usage tracking can be done through smart cards, mobile phones and internet

Bicycle Sharing vs. Bicycle Renting

(From ‘PBS Guidance Document Presentation’ (pdf, opens in new window) prepared by IBI Group for Ministry of Urban Development, Govt of India, March 2016)

• Renting systems requires user to pick-up & return the bicycle to the same location thereby serving just one user.
• PBS involves redistribution of bicycles allowing each bicycle to serve several users per day.

Bicycle Sharing vs. Bicycle Renting
	Cycle Sharing	Cycle Renting
Type of Service	Public Transport (alternative IPT)	Private Venture
Types of trips / customer	Short-term/ Commuter & Tourist	Long-term/ Tourist
Fare structure	Subscription fee+ usage charge:Encourages short trips	Subscription fee only: encourages long term rentals
Accessibility	24 hours a day (can vary between systems)	Normal working hours
Ownership	Government	Private
Capital funding	Government	Private
Revenue	Advertising, Sponsorships, User Fee, Registration charges, Cross or direct subsidies	Subscription Fee
Automation	Full/ semi automation	Service personnel required

Operations

• Typically, city governments are responsible for preparing the PBS plans, setting up the system, and for regulating and monitoring the PBS, expanding operations etc
• Private operators handle day-to-day operations, including maintenance of cycles and ensuring that cycles are available at the cycle stations
• The usage patterns and demand are monitored to improve and enhance the system

Financial Management

The capital and initial costs include purchase of bicycles, installation of cycle stations, the GPS systems and software to operate the PBS.

Revenue to meet the costs of running the system are generated through advertizing, membership and usage, sponsorships, on-street parking fees, as well as grants from the city government just like any public transport system that the city government provides for the benefit of citizens

Who Can Benefit from Using PBS

• People who make short distance trips, typically up to 5 km
• People who make long distance trips, could shift to a PBS+ transit option
• Office or residential employees who can run short errands
• School and college students

City wide Benefits

• Social – health, affordable way of transport,
• Environmental – no air pollution, more open spaces,
• Economic – revenue generation, jobs, reduce transportation infrastructure investments

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

(From ‘PBS Guidance Document Presentation’ (pdf, opens in new window) prepared by IBI Group for Ministry of Urban Development, Govt of India, March 2016)

Q: Can the city start PBS without cycling infrastructure?

• Safe cycling facilities desirable but not critical to begin implementation | Chicken & Egg
• Mixed traffic cycling in slower speed environments: better enforcement
• Raise the profile of cycling & encourage investment in infrastructure

Q: Will it work in extreme weather?

• Like cycling or other public transport, leaner use periods during extreme weather
• As popularity increases, better cycling infrastructure such as shaded tracks and public conveniences could be provided

Q: I already own a bicycle, why will I use PBS?

• Covenience: While you can continue to use your own cycle, you may find PBS convenient for last mile connectivity to public transport and other trips in the city when you don’t have your own cycle with you
• Security: PBS provides secure features at designated stations, conveniently located at key destinations
• Parking: Avoids the hassle of finding a place to park and parking charges
• Cost Savings: reduces the cost of ownership and maintenance

Q: How can theft and vandalism of bicycles be prevented?

• Registering the subscriber & valid identity is prerequisite
• System identifies the user each time a bicycle is checked out which helps in tracking and preventing thefts
• The responsibility of the cycle remains with the subscriber until it is returned at a station.
• Use of technology and surveillance can address the issue of theft

Q: Who finances PBS?

• Capital costs globally allocated from city’s budget
• Private sector partnership for O&M costs

Q: Is bicycle sharing worth the investment? 

• A high quality bicycle sharing system with a large coverage area costs a fraction of any public transit system or infrastructure investment.
• Increase accessibility and reach of transit by providing last mile connectivity
• Reduce congestion and improve air quality

What do you think? Should Pune get its own Public Bicycle Share System?