Wuhan unveiled one of the world’s largest bike-sharing programs in an effort to solve last-mile transportation while engaging citizens through a fun and interactive carbon credit system.
Wuhan rolled out one of the world’s largest bike-sharing projects, installing 20,000 bikes at 856 stations since 2015. Plans call for 80,000 bicycles and 3,160 stations to be installed city-wide by 2018. The new system is integrated with other modes of public transport in the city to increase connectivity. As a bonus feature, the stations offer charging facilities for electric vehicles, to further promote green transportation. Daily rides have risen from more than 1,000 during the trial period to about 80,000 in May 2016, amounting to 15 million total rides since launching.
170,000 tons of carbon will be reduced annually by 2018 with the bike-share program
Cities100 – 2016
A unique component of the system is the integration of a carbon credit scheme, through which bike-sharing users’ individual CO2 reduction is calculated based on average riding speed and other factors, and converted into a carbon credit, registered to individual users. The credit can be used to purchase small personal commodities and services, such as movie tickets, or used to offset out other carbon emissions.
The challenge
Faced with problems of air pollution and traffic congestion, Wuhan, one of the most populous cities in Central China, launched an ambitious bike-sharing project that helps curb growing motor vehicle dependence and related emissions, while also solving last-mile transportation and boosting citizen engagement through the carbon credit system.
Co-benefits
Economic As the first hour of bike use is free, and most bike trips last less than one hour, users are able to save money on transport.
Environmental Annual CO2 emissions reduced by the bike-share system have reached 25,000 tons.
Health The bike-sharing program addresses health problems related to vehicle emissions and encourages the population to participate in a daily fitness activity.
Social The project helps address the city’s traffic congestion problems and lack of space for parking.
About Wuhan
Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province, China, and is the most populous city in Central China. It is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and expressways passing through the city and connecting to other major cities. Because of its key role in domestic transportation, Wuhan was sometimes referred to as “the Chicago of China” by foreign sources.
