overcoming the challenges facing emerging bike share schemes

Despite a slow beginning, bike share has become one of the fastest growing trends in urban transport over the past ten years. Indeed, from 2004 to 2014, the number of cities with bike share systems increased from a mere 11 to 855. With nine cities already operating bike share systems, Turkey is showing substantial interest in moving forward with this rising mode of sustainable transport. However, the cities that have already implemented public bike share systems across the country are facing unique challenges that threaten their sustainability.

1. There is often widespread vandalism of the bikes docked in stations.
2. Residents want to be able to pay with a combination of credit cards and “smart cards” used for other modes of public transport. However, these two forms of payments are not integrated, leading to problems for users.
3. Dedicated bike lanes often end abruptly and fail to connect with other bike lanes, making cycling in the city less safe.
4. Neither the bike share system nor the bike lanes were designed with other modes of transport in mind and are therefore not sufficiently integrated with public transport.

 Where the proposed solutions to these problems are as follows:

1. Foster programs for a stronger cycling culture
2. Create a connected, comprehensive cycling network
3. Integrate public transport and non-motorized modes

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