Source: Saz Bike

EIT Urban Mobility has presented preliminary data on the impact of bike sharing, coinciding with European Mobility Week, which took place from September 16-22. The data indicated positive effects in terms of lowering mobility costs, reducing emissions and boosting health.

The full, comprehensive study, conducted by management consultancy EY, will be published in October.

User benefits

It has been found that over half of shared bike users combine them with public transport, and in doing so are able to dramatically reduce individual mobility costs – in some cases, by as much as 90%.

Two-thirds of shared bike journeys replace a sedentary form of transportation, thereby increasing individuals’ active mobility.

Wider benefits

From an environmental perspective, there is a significant positive side. Compared to private cars, bike sharing produces six times fewer greenhouse gases, and the analysis reveals that approximately 46,000 tons of CO2 were saved in 2024.

It is estimated that greater levels of active mobility could prevent around 900 cases of chronic illness and save the healthcare system €40 million.

Bike sharing has a positive effect in reducing traffic congestion, with an estimated 760,000 reduced hours of congestion thanks to the transport mode.

New jobs are created by the bike-sharing industry, an average of one job for every 75 shared bikes. A newer strand of the bicycle industry is opening up, with aspects such as system delivery, fleet maintenance and service needing to be covered.

Final study expectations

The final study is expected to outline forecasts for environmental, social and economic effects of bike sharing through to 2030. This will equip cities with an information foundation for the systematic incorporation of bike sharing into plans for air quality improvements and healthcare strategies, as well as transportation policy.