How Imbalanced Development of the Cities in Developing Countries Affects Citizens’ Approach to Bicycle Sharing System: A Case Study of Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the deterrent factors of using the bicycle sharing system of Mashhad in two districts with different development levels, one being considered privileged and the other unprivileged. Also it aims to explore the differences and similarities of citizen reasons for unwillingness to use this system. For this purpose, the districts 9 and 10 of Mashhad Municipality have been chosen as privileged and unprivileged districts respectively. For this study the qualitative approach and the thematic analysis method have been adopted. Along with this, interviews have been conducted and 3 major themes of “convenience”, “infrastructure” and “culture” have been identified, these themes included various sub-themes. The results show that “Complicated sign up and operation process” is the main reason for both groups. Also the participants pointed to reasons like: “laziness” and “lack of free time, and preoccupation” which received higher percentages in districts 9 and 10 respectively. Long distances and insufficient docking stations were more talked about in district 10, but the same reason was mentioned in district 9, due to lack of knowledge about the system and the location of the docking stations. The importance of appearance and quality was more emphasized in district 9, and bad driving behavior was more emphasized in district 10. Finally the authors recommend raising awareness, improving infrastructure, and simplifying the sign up process in order for this program to be more effective.