Using multivariate adaptive regression splining (MARS) to identify factors affecting the performance of dock-based bikesharing: The case of Chicago’s Divvy system

A Tale of Two Divvys: The Bicycle Sharing System of Chicago

“…Chicago's Divvy embodies one of the most successful implementations of a BSS in the US. Launched in June 2013, it rapidly developed into one of the largest BSSs and, by 2018, it recorded 15 million rides and 4 million trip hours [10]. In 2022, Divvy recorded 6.3 million bike and e-scooter trips and nearly 45,000 members [11].…”

“…At its 10-year anniversary, Divvy has reached all 77 neighborhoods and become the second largest BSS in North America. In conjunction with Chicago's progressive public transportation policies, this development created "an extensive network of buffered and protected bike lanes and related infrastructure", which has earned Chicago the reputation of being one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the nation [10] (p. 2). Case studies conducted by Smith and Schwieterman [10], Qian and Jaller [12], Bartling [13], Smith and O'Neil [14], and Zhang et al [15] have mapped these initial achievements and tend to divide Divvy's development into four phases: the implementation phase in 2013, the first expansion phase to 2015, the second expansion phase from 2016, and a consolidation phase that started in 2018.…”

“…In conjunction with Chicago's progressive public transportation policies, this development created "an extensive network of buffered and protected bike lanes and related infrastructure", which has earned Chicago the reputation of being one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the nation [10] (p. 2). Case studies conducted by Smith and Schwieterman [10], Qian and Jaller [12], Bartling [13], Smith and O'Neil [14], and Zhang et al [15] have mapped these initial achievements and tend to divide Divvy's development into four phases: the implementation phase in 2013, the first expansion phase to 2015, the second expansion phase from 2016, and a consolidation phase that started in 2018. Three unique characteristics underpin the rapid and successful deployment of Divvy during the implementation and first expansion phases: the city's policy and vision to develop a BSS, the funding and ownership structure, and the strategic deployment of physical bicycle stations.…”

“…Policy and vision: Divvy's success story began with progressive transportation policies, including the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act [16], the Chicago Streets for Cycling 2020 Plan [17], the Sustainable Chicago 2015 [18], and the GO TO 2040s [19,20], each contributing to a comprehensive regional framework that aimed to secure Chicago's long-term goals toward sustainability, inclusiveness, and future prosperity. Within these policies, mobility goals addressed traffic congestion mitigation and a reduction in private vehicle dependence, where a BSS was seen as an integral measure [14]. Chicago's City Council envisioned the new BSS to balance demand potential (informed by population density, employment density, share of population 20 to 39 years of age, percent of bike and walk commute share, business concentration, proximity to parks, public transit boardings and frequency) and locational equity (informed by household income, percent non-white population, and educational attainment) [14] (p. 5).…”

“…Within these policies, mobility goals addressed traffic congestion mitigation and a reduction in private vehicle dependence, where a BSS was seen as an integral measure [14]. Chicago's City Council envisioned the new BSS to balance demand potential (informed by population density, employment density, share of population 20 to 39 years of age, percent of bike and walk commute share, business concentration, proximity to parks, public transit boardings and frequency) and locational equity (informed by household income, percent non-white population, and educational attainment) [14] (p. 5).…”