Accessibility Analysis
This is an accessibility and equity analysis of the Indego Bike Share Program in Philadelphia. Using Indego’s user data from 2015 and 2022, this project sheds light on the number of targeted potential riders (defined as those age 18-44) and as those who use public transportation to commute to work, as well as the number of minorities (defined as those who identify as non-white race or Hispanic), who reside within an accessible area of a bike station. Accessible is defined here in two ways: within a quarter mile walking distance and within a half mile walking distance of a bike station.
2015 Indego bike stations, as well as the quarter mile and half mile walkable street network distance areas.
2022 Indego bike stations, as well as the quarter mile and half mile walkable street network distance areas.
A comparison of the number and proportion (of all Philadelphia residents) of potential riders and minorities with bike station access in 2015 (the first year of the bike share program) to 2022.
2015 Indego bike stations, as well as the quarter mile and half mile walkable street network distance areas.
Analysis
The accessibility and equity analysis of the Indego Bike Share Program in Philadelphia highlights significant changes in bike station coverage and the population served between 2015 and 2022. This project evaluates access through two key measures: a quarter-mile and a half-mile walking distance from bike stations, using these metrics to understand how well the system serves potential riders and minorities.
Spatial Accessibility
The spatial distribution of bike stations has expanded over the seven-year period. The 2015 map illustrates a concentrated area of bike station access, primarily focused on central Philadelphia. By 2022, the coverage area has grown significantly, with additional stations extending into neighborhoods that were previously underserved. This expansion has increased the reach of the bike-sharing program, particularly for residents living further from the city's core.
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Demographic Trends
The tabular data demonstrates that the population within accessible areas has increased for both distance metrics. For the quarter-mile range, the population covered rose from 193,739 in 2015 to 298,437 in 2022—a 54% increase. Similarly, the half-mile range coverage grew from 278,482 to 443,258 (a 59% increase). This indicates a substantial improvement in accessibility for residents.
Targeted Populations
Key demographics, including individuals aged 18–44 (potential riders), minorities, and public transit commuters, also saw notable increases in bike station access:
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18–44 Age Group: The percentage of this age group within a quarter-mile increased from 17.77% to 24.88%, and for the half-mile, it rose from 24.47% to 34.66%. This highlights a growing alignment of the program with its target demographic.
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Minority Population: Minority coverage within a quarter-mile rose from 84,588 (8.18%) in 2015 to 146,223 (14.13%) in 2022, and within a half-mile, from 133,161 (12.87%) to 243,339 (23.52%). This demonstrates progress toward greater equity in access for historically underserved groups.
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Commuters: The proportion of public transit commuters with access to bike stations increased from 13.93% to 23.95% for the quarter-mile range, and from 23.31% to 35.65% for the half-mile range. This suggests a growing integration between bike-share infrastructure and public transit systems.
Equity Implications
The growth in coverage and demographic reach indicates that the Indego Bike Share Program is making strides in improving equitable access. However, the maps also show areas that remain underrepresented in bike station accessibility, suggesting room for further expansion and targeted efforts to ensure all neighborhoods benefit from the program.
Conclusion
Overall, the Indego Bike Share Program has significantly enhanced its accessibility and equity outcomes between 2015 and 2022. The expansion of bike stations and improved access for targeted demographics underscores the program's effectiveness in addressing initial gaps. Future efforts should focus on filling remaining accessibility gaps and sustaining equitable growth to ensure the program continues to serve all Philadelphians effectively.