The Shared Benefits of Capital Bikeshare: Economic Impacts in Five Washington, D.C. Neighborhoods

This study investigates potential economic effects of bikesharing, with a focus on local businesses and the neighborhood level, and highlights a potential area of collaboration between transportation planners and economic developers. This study makes a unique contribution by surveying users at bikeshare stations about intended spending related to the bikeshare trip as well as businesses located adjacent to those same stations about perceived spending by bikeshare users at those businesses. Using a sample of five Capital Bikeshare stations in Washington, DC, we conducted an intercept survey of 333 users at each of the stations and a doorto- door survey of 140 local businesses within 0.1 miles of the stations. We found that riders are motivated to use the system due to travel time (73%) and cost (25%) savings. In addition, 16% of riders report making new trips because of Capital Bikeshare. Meanwhile, 23% of users reported spending more money because they used bikeshare. We found that 20% of the businesses in our sample report a positive impact on sales, and 70% identify a positive impact on the neighborhood. Our findings suggest bikesharing may generate shared benefits among users and businesses relating to new trips and new spending