Analysis of Bicycle Sharing and Future Development

【Abstract】The bicycle sharing scheme in China is one of the fastest growing Internet industry in 2017. In this paper， the history of bicycle sharing is illustrated. Then its impact to city transport is analysed to identify the advantages and problems of operations. Also， future development thinking is also illustrated. Based on the analysis， the bicycle sharing is a very promising and optimistic industry and will have a deeper impact on the public transportation.

【Key words】bicycle sharing； shared economy

【作者簡介】易媛琳，宜宾翠屏棠湖外语学校2019届（3）班。

I. Origin and development of bicycle sharing

With the development of Internet technology， the Internet service is being widely used. Based on the background of Internet and shared economy， the shared transport is developed. The definition of bicycle sharing is to provide public bicycle into the public service area by cooperation， then citizen can access the service by acquiring user token via mobile phones.

There are three phases of bicycle sharing market development in China. In the first phase， the operation scheme of bicycle sharing was adapted by governments into China from other countries. Bicycles were provided at the bicycle bays.， and citizens need to borrow and return from the specific access points. In the second phase， bicycle sharing companies stepped in， while the scheme of sharing remained the same. The third started from 2014 till now. In this phase， the access points are removed， and users can borrow， return and top-up using their phones. When the service is needed， user can search the available bikes nearby using the apps on the phone， then navigate to the bike and unlock the bicycle by scanning the QR code. When finish the journey， user can apply the bicycle lock to finish the journey.

On the aspect of bicycle sharing market volume， the market volume has reached 10.28 billion CNY in 2017， and is estimated to reach 17.82 billion CNY in and 30 billion in 2020. On user aspect， bicycle sharing has become the most rapid user population growth Internet application in 2017. The user population in China has reached 221 million， which is 28.6% of overall Internet users in China. The population of bike sharing users in China will reach 298 million in 2018.

II. Impact of bicycle sharing to city transportation

In a positive sense， the bike sharing scheme makes people more convenience to travel in short distance， which enhance the public transport system. First， the bike sharing is the extension of primary city transport systems such as subway and bus system. Second， the existence of bike sharing reflects the demand of low carbon transportation and reduces the dependence of vehicles. Thirdly， the bicycle sharing can reduce the congestion at popular locations. The development of bicycle sharing scheme has reduced 16.1 billion CNY of traffic congestion cost， creating over 200 billion CNY growth of social value and related industries.

Bicycle sharing scheme also brings some certain negative aspects. First of all， the rapid growth of bicycles has taken a lot of public road resources and spaces， which damages the figure of city. Secondly， the lack of management and restrictions to users leads to improper use with safely concerns， which increases the transport incident rate. Thirdly， some shared bicycles are vandalized， modified or disassembled illegally， which severely impact the efficiency of the service.

III. Future development of bicycle sharing

Bicycle sharing still have a lot to be explored. Operators still have certain imperfections， which requires cooperation of departments and companies， so that a well-managed market can establish， which including following aspects.

City planning department shall enhance the cooperation with bike sharing scheme and include it into the overall city planning. This shall base on the demand of transport and tolerance of environment.

During the city planning and constructions， bicycle lanes should be planned to ensure a safety environment for regulated bicycle sharing operation.

Traffic management department should establish a regulation and management scheme for bicycle sharing. This includes the regulation to operators to maintain the public environment and encourage companies to discover new techniques on operations.

The environment and social benefits of bicycle sharing scheme are encouraged by governments. The future of bicycle sharing industry is very promising and optimistic. Bicycle sharing companies shall seek the operation modes with innovations， then achieve substantial development by improving the services. Governments shall cooperate with companies to enhance the regulations and legal enforcements. They shall improve the infrastructures and optimize the bicycle. In such way， a city transport with diversity and multi-layer shall develop in a healthy fashion.

References：

[1]周揚军.杭州公共自行车交通系统[J].交通与运输，2011，（6）：36-37.