Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Streetsblog USA

NACTO: If You Want Bike-Share to Succeed, Put Stations Close Together

There's a strong correlation between bike share station density and how many people use the system. Image: NACTO
There's a strong correlation between how closely spaced bike-share stations are and how frequently they are used. Image: NACTO
false

A new study from the National Association of City Transportation Officials [PDF] adds credence to the theory that station density is a key factor in whether a bike-share system will flourish or flop.

More stations per mile, more ridership per bike. Chart: NACTO
More stations per mile, more ridership per bike. Chart: NACTO
false

In its analysis of bike-share systems across the U.S., NACTO found that stations that are close to other stations see more use. In addition, bike-share systems with higher overall density -- New York and Paris are leaders -- tend to have higher ridership than more dispersed systems like Minneapolis's Nice Ride.

Riders from systems around the U.S. report the primary reason they use bike-share is because it is easier or more convenient than available alternatives. But users don't want to have to travel a long distance searching for a place to pick up or return a bike. So the accessibility of bike stations -- and, crucially, accessibility by walking -- is a primary determinant of their usefulness.

"Research on transit users finds that most people will walk no more than a 1/2 mile to get to commuter rail, with a large drop-off beyond a 1/4 mile," the report says. "The distance someone will walk to use a bike appears to be much smaller -- about 1,000 feet or 5 minutes walking."

Furthermore, placing stations close together across a contiguous area offers "exponentially" more destinations than those that are isolated.

NACTO recommends that cities place stations no farther than 1,000 feet apart, anywhere throughout the system. That's about 28 stations per square mile.

NACTO recommends cities like Minneapolis place "infill" stations in the lighter orange areas to help boost bike share system ridership. Image: NACTO
NACTO recommends cities like Minneapolis place "infill" stations in the lighter orange areas to help boost bike-share system ridership. Image: NACTO
false

Unfortunately, many cities bow to political pressure to spread stations over a wide geographic area in order to accommodate various constituencies. NACTO says stations tend to be especially spread out in low-income neighborhoods, which contributes to lower usage by lower-income groups overall.

The report advises cities considering bike-share to go big -- make ambitious investments in bike stations and place stations close together in a small geographic area -- with intent to expand. Vary the size of the stations -- the number of bikes per dock -- based on expected demand, but not the distance between stations, because the distance people are willing to walk doesn't change. Finally, for cities that already have bike-share, NACTO says many of them could improve performance by repairing gaps with "infill" stations.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Monday’s Headlines

Telsa's Robocars Make Streets Less Safe, ICE messing up California, Heat Is Bad for Cars, Bus Lane Enforcement in Weho and More...

June 30, 2025

California Transportation Commission Unanimously Approves Funds for All Recommended Highway Projects

Advocates call the CTC a rubber stamp for highway widening. The body didn't do anything to dispel that notion yesterday.

June 27, 2025

Friday’s Headlines

Mixed bag of news as we head into the weekend.

June 27, 2025

Metro Responds to Issues Resulting from ICE Raids and Protests

The Metro board received an update on recent Metro service disruptions precipitated by ICE raids. The board approved a Janice Hahn motion intended to minimize service disruption.

June 26, 2025

Caltrans Continues Outreach on “Vision 980” for Oakland

Is there still some hope for reconnecting West Oakland with downtown by removing the huge barrier of I-980?

June 26, 2025

SGV Connect 137: Olympic Cricket at the Pomona Fairplex

For the first time ever, the city of Pomona will host an Olympic event: cricket! Get the story from Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval and Abhimanyu Rajp, Director of Los Angeles Cricket.

June 26, 2025
See all posts