Freewheel stage: Bike Share: Should It Be Profitable — And Do We Care?
17 Jun 2026 13:30 - 14:30 Freewheel stage
When bike-share schemes are discussed, one question inevitably arises: does it make money? Yet few transport systems are judged solely on their financial performance. Roads, public transport and other mobility infrastructure are typically assessed on the wider economic and social value they create. Drawing on new evidence from the European bike-share ROI study, this session will explore whether profitability is the right benchmark for success. Bringing together operators, public authorities and industry leaders, the panel will debate funding models, public-private partnerships and the growing gap between the value bike share creates and who ultimately captures it. If bike share delivers significant returns to society, are we asking the wrong question?
