Research on carbon emissions of public bikes based on the life cycle theory

ABSTRACT

As a green travel mode, public bikes have positive implications in terms of reducing emissions. Based on the life cycle theory, we calculate the carbon emissions generated and reduced over the entire life cycle of public bikes.The calculation shows that when the average daily turnover rate of public bikes is 1.874 times/ bike, the average daily travel distance is 2.150 km, and the damage rate increases by 2.5% per month, each public bike needs approximately 7 months to reach the carbon balance. After the carbon emission balance is reached, the use of public bikes causes a net reduction in carbon emissions. However, the carbon emissions once again exceed the emission reductions after approximately 29 months of using public bikes. Furthermore, the carbon balance of the 186 stations used in Wenling City is studied.Based on the conclusions obtained, some policy recommendations are made to help public bikes achieve real emissions reduction.

KEYWORDS:

• Public bikes
• life cycle
• carbon emissions
• carbon balance

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, grant number 52002243, 71701125, 71901196; Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province, China, grant number LQ18E080010; and Project of Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan, grant number 20511101800.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Key Projects of National Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province [LQ18E080010]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [71901196]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [71701125]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [52002243]; Project of Shanghai Science and technology innovation action plan [20511101800].