This dissertation work addresses three fundamental bikeshare equity problems. Chapter 2 examines whether bikeshare systems have targeted specific populations. Chapter 3, extends knowledge about how to estimate bikeshare ridership in underserved communities. This research fills a gap by analyzing the current utilization rates of bikeshare systems among disadvantaged populations. Chapter 4, develops a destination competing model to estimate destination choices and analyze spatial patterns.

Key findings

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The results demonstrate that a well-designed bikeshare system can generate greater accessibility improvements for disadvantaged communities compared tothe same system for other populations.

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The results show that bikeshare stations in disadvantaged communities generate significantly fewer bikeshare trips than stations in other areas. Among the factors influencing bikeshare trips, employment rate has the highest positive marginal effect when considering limited job opportunities in disadvantaged areas.

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Bikeshare trip utilization rate differs greatly between annual members and day-pass users from disadvantaged communities. The proportion of trips by subscribers is significantly lower in disadvantaged communities than in other areas. Interestingly, residents in disadvantaged communities tend to make longer bikeshare trips if they are annual members.

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Users in disadvantaged are more likely to make bikeshare trips to achieve accessibility improvements, particularly to job opportunities. Members of disadvantaged areas paying annual fees are more likely to travel longer distance to other areas in order to reach additional opportunities.

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