SBCs are active transport systems created with the aim of promoting physical activity and a healthy lifestyle among the population. The study by Miquel Pans, Laura Antón and Israel Villarrasa, researchers from the Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences (FCAFE) of the UV, analyses the factors that influence a greater use of active transport in the Spanish context, where there are few publications on mobility and SBC.

Thus, among the conclusions, it is drawn that women use this system less than men, which proves the need for active transport public policies with a gender perspective, such as improved street lighting at night and greater security in the urban periphery.

Regarding age, it can be seen that the group that uses the shared bike system for the longest time is 56 to 75 year olds, followed by 46 to 55 year olds and, in third place, 36 to 45 year olds. One explanation given is that younger people tend to make shorter and faster journeys.

Regarding the socioeconomic level, people with a lower family income use the SBC more, which in the opinion of the researchers proves the importance of implementing public policies that encourage physical activity, since they tend to be the population group with the lowest levels of physical activity.

“These results show that there are different times of use depending on the gender, age, and socioeconomic level of people. Mobility policies should take these differences into account when designing active transport and public health programs for the population”, highlight Pans, Antón and Villarrasa.

This study is part of the project “Sustainable transport in Valencia: socio-environmental, urban and health analysis of the ‘Valenbisi’ service”, subsidised by the Ministry of Innovation, Universities, Science and Digital Society (GVPROME-TEO2021-026) of the Valencian Government.

Article: Pans, M., Antón-González, L. y Villarrasa-Sapiña, I. (2023). «Análisis de edades, género y nivel socioeconómico del tiempo de uso del sistema de bicicletas compartidas de València (España)». Retos, 48, 277–283. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v48.96843

More information: http://bicival.uv.es/