Potential for Bike-share in Upper Hill Area, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Commuters using motorized transport in Nairobi walk long distances to connect to their destinations from public transit stops which makes them lose a lot of valuable time and is uncomfortable. The use of bike share can improve access but there is a gap in understanding willingness to use the bicycles by commuters in Upper Hill. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence the adoption and hence potential of bike share in Nairobi’s Upper Hill, with specific objectives being to examine the characteristics of potential bike share users in Nairobi’s Upper Hill area, to determine whether the time taken to travel from drop-off to destination influences use of bike share and to discuss the perceptions that influence the use of bicycles. The study sought to test the null hypotheses, ‘there is no significant difference between willingness to use bike share and time taken to travel from drop-off to destination; and ‘there is no significant difference between willingness to use bicycles and the perceptions. Primary data was obtained through questionnaire surveys. Random sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. A total of 126 commuters participated in the study. Data was analysed and presented in the form of percentages, charts and tables. The study used the Chi-square (χ2) test as a quantitative measuring technique to test the hypotheses. The study found that the potential of bike share is influenced a number of factors that comprise the time commuters take to travel from drop-off to their destination. Commuters were found to be more willing to ride bicycles for shorter journeys that take them 30 minutes or less. Matatus were found to be the mode of transport used by most commuters in the study area. The study also found that potential of bike share is influenced by the perceptions that commuters have on the use of bicycles with the majority being comfortable to be seen riding a bicycle. The availability of walking and cycling lanes was also found to influences the potential of bike share. Lack of walking and cycling lanes discourages both pedestrian and cyclist from using bicycles. The study recommended that planning of a bike share system in a city should target connecting shorter journeys as people are more willing to ride bicycles for shorter journeys, conducting awareness campaigns to improve perceptions on cycling amongst residents and to integrate bike share with public transport to reach more potential users. The study also recommended policy-makers to invest in the provision of networks of good quality segregated pedestrian and cycling lanes in the city and embark on education, information and communication on precautions when sharing the road with cyclists and other nonmotorised transport users. The study also recommended future research on the potential for bike share on a city-wide scale and potential of bike share targeting a specific group such as people going to work or university students.