Potential justice implications in system design of bicycle sharing systems

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2020-08-25
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en
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Bicycle-sharing systems (BSSs) have increased rapidly over two decades; an increased research interest follows this development. However, most studies focus on optimization within the current system design. It is rarer with explorations of inclusion aspects of contemporary BSSs. However, emerging findings suggest that the user group is homogeneous; most users are white, male and middle class. Consequently, this research explored the reasoning behind the configuration of three BSSs in Copenhagen and Malmö to seek potential justice implications. The BSS-actors’ considerations were compared to theoretical work on transport justice. The research concludes that the stakeholders’ concerns show attentiveness to a utilitarian approach, shaping what is considered doable and desired, even if the BSSs’ motives indicate otherwise. This attentiveness means that neither fairness nor equity is achieved since diverse users’ needs are not adequately acknowledged. Research in transport justice determines that transport investments can only be considered fair if investments and services are distributed according to the greatest reduction in inequality of opportunity, which none of the current system designs of BSSs in Copenhagen and Malmö do.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen