Steer 'data storytelling web app' helps visualise two years of US micromobility trends

Steer has analyzed more than 60 million bikeshare trips made in the past two years to understand: how COVID-19 impacted bike share use in cities across the US and how this may have long-term impacts on bike share usage as cities emerge from lockdowns?

We selected six major cities in the US which have historically had high transit ridership and recent increases in demand for micromobility.

You can view the study here: US Bike Share Trends 2019 - 2021

Key findings from the study include:

• Bikeshare has emerged as a resilient way to move around
  • Bikeshare has provided a critical socially distanced service during the pandemic
  • Demand has started to grow from pre-Covid levels, despite levels of bikes available, which have not yet fully returned to pre-COVID operations.  
  • Behaviour change is noticeable, including significantly longer trips patterns (except for Boston). As more people return to the office, bike share offers a socially distanced first-last mile option for people who are hesitant to shift back to group transportation options.
• City governments support to increase cycling levels
  • Some cities have temporarily or permanently expanded cycling infrastructure in response to the pandemic
  • Residents have responded with increased usage and growth in annual memberships
  • In addition to solving mobility needs, bikeshare helps with health and wellness and provides an easily accessible form of exercise

Our analysis demonstrates how shared mobility behaviour has changed since 2019 due to Covid-19. Based on data from Q1 2021, in some places, these trends are still visible in 2021. There is a significant potential to maintain and build on-demand realized. Cities and local government can support the shift to cycling through maximizing the number of shared bikes available, electrification of the fleet (providing a wider reach for bike share), making permanent, temporary cycle infrastructure improvements and supporting the local realization of the 15-minute city concept.

Steer continues to support the launch and development of micromobility solutions in cities worldwide, working with local authorities and micromobility operators to maximize the benefits for a sustainable future.

We will update this analysis with more recent data once published by the cities and operators – stay tuned!

Learn more about the tool, including how and why it was developed and how it can benefit your organisation.