Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Bike Sharing

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
There's a strong correlation between bike share station density and how many people use the system. Image: NACTO

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

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

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 USA

Friday Video: The London Neighborhood Where Bikes Outnumber Cars

...and how they got to that impressive milestone.

July 11, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Battle Galactus

Like the Marvel supervillain, U.S. interstate highway system seems to eat up everything in his path. A new book explores how to stop it.

July 11, 2025

New Report Shows Pedestrian Fatalities Drop — But Experts Say Not Enough

The Governors Highway Safety Association report showed a 4 percent drop in the number of pedestrian deaths last year, putting a slow on a dangerous trend — but advocates say the drop isn't nearly big enough.

July 11, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: Localities Subsidize the State DOT

Adie Tomer of Brookings on how to improve regional coordination around infrastructure.

July 10, 2025

Five of the Ugliest Transportation Policies In the ‘Big, Beautiful’ Bill

Here's a rundown of some of the transportation provisions in the Republicans' reconciliation package, and what they might mean for your community.

July 10, 2025

Viva La Thursday’s Headlines

Why is French transit ridership up 10 percent since before the pandemic, while American transit ridership is down 23 percent?

July 10, 2025
See all posts