Understanding bikeshare mode as feeder to bus:A case study of Chicago’s Divvy system

Abstract

The bike-share system gives a decent solution to the first- and last-mile problem. And it connects trip origins/destinations and transit stations. However, current research in this area focuses more on metrobikeshare pattern, and there are still substantial gaps in research in the area of bus-bikeshare pattern. Focusing on Chicago, this study uses Divvy’s location information data to explore the spatial and temporal characteristics of bus-bikeshare transfer trips. Besides, we examine the built environment factors affecting bus-bikeshare transfers. This study uses buffers and time limits to isolate bus-bikeshare transfer trips. Two recognition rules proposed are a maximum transfer time of 20 min and a maximum buffer distance of 100 m. The findings are listed as follows: (1) the average distance and duration of bus-bikeshare trips is 1740.95m and 548.11s; (2) the bus-bikeshare trips show characteristics in different areas, seasons and periods; (3) there is a positive and significant spatial autocorrelation for the bus-bikeshare trips; (4) The bus-bikeshare pattern is influenced by built environment factors in a manner distinct from the bikeshare-only pattern, exhibiting its own unique characteristics.