Bicycle Infrastructure and Traffic Congestion: Evidence from DC's Capital Bikeshare

Authors

Timothy L. Hamilton, University of RichmondFollow
Casey J. Wichman

DOI

10.1016/j.jeem.2017.03.007

Abstract

This study explores the impact of bicycle-sharing infrastructure on urban transportation. We estimate a causal effect of the Capital Bikeshare on traffic congestion in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area. We exploit a unique traffic dataset that is finely defined on a spatial and temporal scale. Our approach examines within-city commuting decisions as opposed to traffic patterns on major thruways. Empirical results suggest that the availability of a bikeshare reduces traffic congestion upwards of 4% within a neighborhood. In addition, we estimate heterogeneous treatment effects using panel quantile regression. Results indicate that the congestion-reducing impact of bikeshares is concentrated in highly congested areas.

Document Type

Post-print Article

Publication Date

2018

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. Article first published online: January 2018.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jeem.2017.03.007

The definitive version is available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0095069616300420?via%3Dihub

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Full citation:

Hamilton, Timothy L., and Casey J. Wichman. “Bicycle Infrastructure and Traffic Congestion: Evidence from DC’s Capital Bikeshare.” Journal of Environmental Economics and Management 87 (January 2018): 72-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeem.2017.03.007

Recommended Citation

Hamilton, Timothy L. and Wichman, Casey J., "Bicycle Infrastructure and Traffic Congestion: Evidence from DC's Capital Bikeshare" (2018). Economics Faculty Publications. 57.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/economics-faculty-publications/57