An Empirical Study on the Effects of Fine Dust Concentration on the Utilisation of Shared Bicycles

The bike sharing system (BSS) reduces the energy consumption of transportation and improves a city’s air quality. Prior studies have identified the factors that can increase BSS usage rates. In particular, since bicycle users are exposed to the external environment, many studies have examined the factors influencing bicycle use, such as the weather and driving conditions. Although fine dust (PM10; PM2.5) concentrations are generally known to affect shared bicycle use significantly, this effect has not yet been empirically demonstrated. Therefore, the present study aimed at assessing the impact of high levels of PM10; PM2.5 concentrations on shared bicycle usage. We controlled variables of land use and weather to reasonably determine the effect of fine dust on bicycle use. The results showed that PM10; PM2.5 concentrations have a negative effect on BSS usage. In particular, we found differential effects of the concentration of fine dust and ultrafine dust on bicycle. Finally, this study demonstrated that the effect of temperature changes on bicycle utilisation rates can be better explained by the cubic rather than the quadratic function. Therefore, this study confirmed that implementing a government policy related to the reduction of fine dust will have a positive effect on increasing BSS utilisation rates.