2023 Best of the Better Bike Share Partnership

Ten of BBSP’s most popular stories from this year, all geared toward creating more equitable shared micromobility systems.

By many accounts, shared micromobility is thriving. According to NABSA’s 2020 State of the Industry Report, released in August, there’s been a significant growth in trips, vehicles, and systems across North America. According to NACTO’s 2022 Shared Micromobility Report, released just last month, more people took bike share trips in 2022 than any previous year on record. Much of this growth is driven by the popularity of electric bikes, a trend that shows little sign of slowing down. Although it’s still been somewhat of a weird year, what’s clear is that systems have become an ever-more integrated and indispensable part of urban transportation.

This year was also a big year for BBSP. We announced a third cohort of the Transportation Justice Fellowship, wrapped up our multi-year Living Lab grants in Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Portland, and disseminated $100,000 in mini-grant funds to six projects across the country. Plus, in June, BBSP received a three-year grant — our fifth since we launched in 2014 — to continue our work of making shared micromobility more equitable.

Our most-read stories of 2023, however, go beyond these milestones. They highlight innovations in shared micromobility, important research, and the many ways trying something new can make for a more equitable transportation system. Make time to read these ten articles and reflect on what might make sense for your local system in 2024.

1. Bike Share Creates New Cyclists, Saves People Money
A new report out of the U.K. highlights how bike share systems lead to healthier outcomes and more equal communities.

2. In Boston, Bike Share Is Public Transportation
The new city-subsidized Boston Bikes Pass makes annual Bluebikes memberships just $60 a year for new riders and $5 a year for low-income residents.

Opening day in the City of Santa Cruz.

3. Santa Cruz is Getting a Regional Bike Share System
In late June, 400 bikes were deployed in Santa Cruz and on the University of California, Santa Cruz campus. Eventually, the system will grow to include most of the county.

4. Research Highlights Equity Recommendations for Shared Micromobility
A qualitative study out of California summarizes what public agencies and non-governmental organizations can do to better bike and scooter share for all.

5. New Study: Understanding the Use of a Reduced-Fare Program
Researchers from Monash University studied users of Lime Access — an affordability program offered by shared micromobility company Lime — in Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S.

A Good Co. Bike Club ride using Citi Bike in New York City.

6. Good Co. Bike Club is Bringing New Riders to Bike Share
The New York City-based organization is partnering with Citi Bike to lower barriers to bicycling and grow ridership, especially amongst the Black community.

7. Learnings from NABSA’s 2023 Conference
From September 19-22, our industry met in Hamilton and Toronto, Canada, in order to gather, learn, and define the future of shared micromobility together.

8. Why US Cities Are Rolling Back Shared Mobility Bans
An increasing number of U.S. cities that once banned shared bikes and scooters are welcoming the modes back to their streets — and prompting a conversation about why they were ever restricted in the first place.

9. Citi Bike’s 2023 Ridership Numbers Are Impressive
Not only did the largest bike share system in the U.S. shatter its weekly ride record, but its reduced fare memberships are also up 40% year over year.

10. Best Practices for More Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces
This comprehensive NABSA toolkit offers guidance on fostering a workplace culture ingrained with the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

The Better Bike Share Partnership is funded by The JPB Foundation as a collaboration between the City of Philadelphia, the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), and the PeopleForBikes Foundation to build equitable and replicable bike share systems. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or sign up for our weekly newsletter.