Is bike sharing synonymous with social inclusion in the USA?

As cities expand, the problems of urban mobility and equitable access to essential services such as health, employment, education and public services become more important. These challenges require solutions to ensure that everyone can get around easily and access essential services. In the United States, where socio-economic disparities influence the daily lives of millions of people, access to transport can play a crucial role in social inclusion or exclusion.

Among the emerging solutions, bike-share systems appear to be an interesting option, but to what extent do they really contribute to social inclusion?

This question raises multiple issues, from financial and physical accessibility to integration into public transportation policies. By studying the impact of bike-share systems in various American cities, this article explores their potential role in reducing inequalities and promoting social inclusion in the United States.

The state of social inclusion in the United States 

Social inclusion is the process by which efforts are made to ensure that all people, regardless of their background, can achieve their full potential in life. This includes promoting equal access to public services and the active participation of citizens in the decision-making processes that affect their lives. This concept is opposed to social exclusion and aims to actively integrate all individuals into economic, social and cultural life, overcoming barriers based on origin, gender, class, generation and geography to ensure equal opportunities for all (UN DESA).

Social inclusion in the United States, the country of equal opportunity and the American dream, is fundamental. It ensures that all people, whatever their background, have equal access to opportunities and can actively participate in social, economic and political life. This is essential to realize the full potential of each individual and to strengthen national cohesion (UN DESA).

In the United States, one of the factors threatening this social inclusion is “urban sprawl”. It can be defined as the sprawl of urban development onto unbuilt land in the proximity of a more or less densely populated city. Urban sprawl has exacerbated socio-economic disparities, creating isolated residential areas where access to essential services and employment opportunities is limited without personal vehicles, thus increasing carbon emissions and energy consumption (Planetizen). 

Reid Ewing, professor of urban planning at the University of Utah, describes this factor based on four key elements: low housing density, a separation of land uses (where housing is far from shops, workplaces, schools and recreation), the absence of local town centers, and a poorly connected road network. Atlanta is the classic example of urban sprawl in the U.S., according to Jenny Schuetz, an expert in urban economics and housing policy at Brookings Metro. “The population has grown, but the land area has grown much more, as houses get bigger and further apart.” 

The effects of urban sprawl are not limited to the environment, but extend to socio-economic and racial inequalities. Areas affected by urban sprawl, often populated by low-income and minority communities, show how lack of public transit and increased reliance on personal vehicles can limit social mobility.  Access to education, employment opportunities and quality health services is limited, exacerbating inequality and social exclusion.

Credits: EIG analysis of American Community Survey, 5-Year estimates

Research shows that Afro-Americans residing in high-poverty neighborhoods have greater difficulty accessing higher-paying jobs and quality health services. This disparity perpetuates a multi-generational cycle of poverty (Brookings). ​​The number of metropolitan neighborhoods in which 30% or more of residents live in poverty double between 1980 and 2010. What's more, almost two-thirds of neighborhoods that were very poor in 1980 were still very poor nearly forty years later. 

Credits: EIG Analysis of U.S Census Bureau data and American Community Survey, 5 - Year estimates

The impact of these living conditions also manifests itself in higher rates of health vulnerabilities, such as increased risk of infection by diseases like COVID-19. For example, in Washington, D.C., where vulnerability indices were significantly higher in majority-black neighborhoods (Brookings). 

These challenges highlight the crucial importance of access to reliable and affordable means of transport as a key factor in social inclusion. 

Bike-share as a potential solution

Bike-share systems, adopted in many metropolises around the world, offer a flexible, environmentally-friendly mobility alternative. These systems make it possible to rent a bike at one station and return it at another, facilitating short, intermodal urban trips. The permanent availability and ease of use, with no need for personal maintenance, make this option highly attractive. It also encourages the integration of bikes into people's daily lives. 

In San Francisco and Los Angeles, they illustrate how micromobility can improve urban accessibility and foster social inclusion.  Particularly in a context marked by urban sprawl and socio-economic diversity.

Since its launch in 2017, Bay Wheels, the San Francisco Bay Area's regional bike-sharing program, has offered more than 6,000 bikes, including mechanical and e-bikes, at over 500 stations. Through the “Bike Share for All” program, San Francisco offers reduced-cost memberships. The city allows 24/7 access to bikes and the use of the Clipper Card to simplify access and use of different modes of public transport. “Bike Share for All” specifically targets historically underserved populations. The program strives to offer more equitable urban mobility by reducing barriers to entry for new users of mobility services (Home - San Francisco Bicycle Coalition).

Crédits: Bay Wheels

In Los Angeles, Metro Bike Share offers 2,000 bikes at 215 stations. The system was designed with equity in mind from the outset. Working with community organizations, LA Metro has ensured that the bike share system is inclusive and accessible to all. A key element of this strategy has been the integration of the Tap transit card, facilitating access to shared bikes while supporting low-income users through existing programs. This integrated approach helps ensure that the bike system benefits a broad demographic and supports the vision of a diverse and accessible transportation network (Better Bike Share) (Bicycle Transit Systems).

Credits: Bicycle Transit Systems

From these examples, it's easy to see that bike-share systems are not just convenient for leisure or short journeys, but play a crucial role in alleviating the problems associated with urban sprawl. They facilitate access to services and opportunities, particularly in areas where public transport services are limited or non-existent. This increased accessibility can considerably improve the quality of life of city dwellers, by offering them an alternative means of getting around. 

Challenges and prospects

Bike-share systems, while offering a socially inclusive transport alternative, face specific challenges that limit their use by diverse populations. 

One of the main challenges is unequal geographical access. Bike stations are often located in affluent areas, excluding low-income communities from the benefits of this service. Initiatives, such as those seen in Philadelphia, seek to rectify this disparity by extending stations into disadvantaged neighborhoods, but most cities have not yet addressed this imbalance. This geographical inequality is compounded by financial barriers. The cost of subscriptions, although reduced in some cases, remains unaffordable for many low-income people, limiting their participation in these programs. 

Credits: rideindego.com

Urban infrastructure is another critical factor. Disadvantaged neighborhoods often lack adequate cycling infrastructure, such as safe cycle paths, which discourages the use of bike-share systems. This situation creates a vicious circle where infrastructure is not developed due to low demand, and demand remains low due to the lack of safe infrastructure. Furthermore, the financial sustainability of programs aimed at improving equity remains precarious. These initiatives often depend on temporary funding or specific subsidies, making their sustainability uncertain. Without a long-term financial commitment, these programs may not be sustainable, leaving the most vulnerable populations out in the cold (Shareable).

Integrating bike-share systems with other modes of public transport is crucial to increasing their efficiency and appeal. By considering these systems not as isolated solutions, but as key elements of a multimodal transport network, urban planning can significantly improve their coverage and usefulness. This approach facilitates connections between various modes of transport, improving overall access to different services and opportunities. 

To meet these challenges, it is essential that municipal authorities, bike-share systems operators and communities work closely together. Policies and strategies must be inclusive and adapted to local needs to ensure the success and sustainability of these programs (PLOS). 

In conclusion, bike-share systems in the USA are proving to be promising instruments for improving social inclusion in urban areas. Despite some persistent challenges, these systems facilitate access to essential services and economic opportunities by reducing mobility disparities. They also encourage more sustainable and healthy urban living. However, for these benefits to be fully realized, it is crucial to continue improving the affordability, safety and integration of these services within a wider public transport network.

Local authorities, in collaboration with bike-share systems operators and communities, must commit to developing inclusive and adaptive policies. These policies should not only address logistical and economic challenges, but also ensure that these systems benefit all segments of the population, particularly those most at risk of social exclusion. By implementing targeted strategies and promoting a holistic approach to urban mobility, bike-share systems can become a key element of an urban strategy aimed at building more inclusive and equitable cities for all their residents.

To learn more about micromobility in the USA, read our article on how is last-mile cycling becoming part of US car culture.