COVID-19 impact on bike-sharing systems: Lessons from Toulouse and Lyon

• Impact of COVID-19 on relevant variables to bike-sharing systems (BSS) BSS usage. • Analysis for two medium size cities in France, Toulouse and Lyon. • Significant changes in longer travel distances. • Higher usage under adverse weather. • Slight increase of BSS trips after recovery. • Evidence of an opportunity to develop public policies to promote cycling further. Based on bike-sharing systems (BSS) data in Toulouse and Lyon, this study examines the impact of COVID-19 on relevant variables to BSS usage. Our findings indicate significant changes in longer travel distances, which would be explained by users who use the BSS at peak hours. Also, there is evidence of a higher willingness to use BSS under adverse weather conditions (such as rain and wind), less substitution with the public transport system in Lyon, and recovery and even a slight increase of BSS trips for Toulouse and Lyon, respectively. These results suggest long-term changes in user habits, offering an excellent opportunity to develop public policies to promote cycling further.