Exploring the Multiscale Relationship between the Built Environment and the Metro-Oriented Dockless Bike-Sharing Usage

Abstract

Dockless bike-sharing systems have become one of the important transport methods for urban residents as they can effectively expand the metro’s service area. We applied the ordinary least square (OLS) model, the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model and the multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model to capture the spatial relationship between the urban built environment and the usage of bike-sharing connected to the metro. A case study in Beijing, China, was conducted. The empirical result demonstrates that the MGWR model can explain the varieties of spatial relationship more precisely than the OLS model and the GWR model. The result also shows that, among the proposed built environment factors, the integrated usage of bike-sharing and metro is mainly affected by the distance to central business district (CBD), the Hotels-Residences points of interest (POI) density, and the road density. It is noteworthy that the effect of population density on dockless bike-sharing usage is only significant at weekends. In addition, the effects of the built environment variables on dockless bike-sharing usage also vary across space. A common feature is that most of the built environment factors have a more obvious impact on the metro-oriented dockless bike-sharing usage in the eastern part of the study area. This finding can provide support for governments and urban planners to efficiently develop a bike-sharing-friendly built environment that promotes the integration of bike-sharing and metro.