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Life cycle assessment to quantify the impact of technology improvements in bike‐sharing systems

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Listed:
  • Ricardo Javier Bonilla‐Alicea
  • Bryan C. Watson
  • Ziheng Shen
  • Laura Tamayo
  • Cassandra Telenko

Abstract

The reduced environmental footprint of bicycle sharing systems (BSS) is one of the reasons for their rapid growth in popularity. BSS have evolved technologically, transitioning from smart dock systems to smart bicycle systems, and it is not clear if the increased use of electronics in BSS results in a net environmental benefit. This article provides an evaluation of the impact of incorporating additional technology into BSS and uses that analysis as guidance for future BSS development. By comparing the impacts of a private bicycle, a smart dock BSS, and smart bike BSS using a life cycle assessment (LCA), this work reveals breakeven points and tradeoffs between the technologies. This study is also the first published empirical LCA of a smart bike known to the authors. In the production phase, smart bikes generate approximately three times the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to the smart dock bikes per kilometer ridden over the lifetime, and when considering the endpoint categories of human health, ecosystem, and resources, smart bikes have approximately 2.7 times the environmental impact. The results suggest that shifting from smart dock to smart bike requires an increase in ridership by a factor of 1.8 to overcome the increased environmental impact based on the GHG emissions. We find that smart docks become preferable at a population density between 1,030 residents/km2 (in a bike friendly city) and 3,100 residents/km2 (in a city that is less likely to bike).

Suggested Citation

  • Ricardo Javier Bonilla‐Alicea & Bryan C. Watson & Ziheng Shen & Laura Tamayo & Cassandra Telenko, 2020. "Life cycle assessment to quantify the impact of technology improvements in bike‐sharing systems," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(1), pages 138-148, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:24:y:2020:i:1:p:138-148
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12860
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhao, Chunkai & Wang, Yuhang & Ge, Zhenyu, 2023. "Is digital finance environmentally friendly in China? Evidence from shared-bike trips," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 129-143.
    2. Vrain, E. & Wilson, C. & Kerr, L. & Wilson, M., 2022. "Social influence in the adoption of digital consumer innovations for climate change," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    3. Lena Ries & Markus Beckmann & Peter Wehnert, 2023. "Sustainable smart product-service systems: a causal logic framework for impact design," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 93(4), pages 667-706, May.
    4. Koide, R. & Murakami, S. & Nansai, K., 2022. "Prioritising low-risk and high-potential circular economy strategies for decarbonisation: A meta-analysis on consumer-oriented product-service systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    5. Pol Felipe-Falgas & Cristina Madrid-Lopez & Oriol Marquet, 2022. "Assessing Environmental Performance of Micromobility Using LCA and Self-Reported Modal Change: The Case of Shared E-Bikes, E-Scooters, and E-Mopeds in Barcelona," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, March.
    6. Li, Yue & Luo, Hao & Cai, Hua, 2023. "Photovoltaic-battery powered bike share stations are not necessarily energy self-sufficient," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    7. Naroa Coretti Sanchez & Luis Alonso Pastor & Kent Larson, 2022. "Can autonomy make bicycle-sharing systems more sustainable? Environmental impact analysis of an emerging mobility technology," Papers 2202.12405, arXiv.org.
    8. Yixiao Liu & Wenshan Liu & Rui Zhao & Lixin Tian, 2023. "Can Docked Bike-Sharing Systems Reach Their Dual Sustainability in Terms of Environmental Benefits and Financial Operations? A Comparative Study from Nanjing, 2017 and 2023," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-39, December.

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