• Shared e-bike service in Madrid achieves a positive environmental balance • Docking stations and charging infrastructure emit more than e-bikes themselves • Station-based design lowers vandalism and enables efficient rebalancing operations • Net impact depends on substitution of private cars and motorcycles over clean modes • System improvements in logistics, lifespan, and usage enhance climate performance Shared electric bicycles are increasingly promoted as a sustainable urban mobility solution; however, their environmental performance depends on operational, infrastructural, and behavioural factors. This study evaluates the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of Madrid’s station-based shared e-bike system BiciMAD, using a life cycle assessment approach, complemented by a net impact analysis that accounts for observed modal substitution patterns. The assessment covers vehicle and station infrastructure, electricity consumption, logistics operations, and end-of-life processes. Results show life cycle emissions of 29 gCO₂eq per passenger-kilometre, with infrastructure contributing a larger share than the bicycles themselves. The station-based configuration performs favourably compared to free-floating due to low vandalism rates and efficient rebalancing operations. Sensitivity analyses indicate that electrifying logistics fleets, extending vehicle lifespans, and increasing utilisation rates can substantially improve environmental performance, whereas reduced infrastructure durability leads to significantly higher emissions. Considering modal substitution effects, shared e-bikes achieve net GHG emission reductions of about −36 gCO₂eq per passenger-kilometre, since they substitute trips that would otherwise generate higher emissions per passenger-kilometre, particularly private cars, although some displacement of walking and public transport is also observed. Overall, the results highlight the importance of maximising system use and optimising infrastructure design to enhance climate benefits. The findings provide actionable insights for operators and policymakers, emphasising the role of logistics decarbonisation, infrastructure planning, and integration with wider urban mobility systems. When effectively designed and managed, shared e-bike services can contribute meaningfully to urban decarbonisation strategies.
Calan et al. (Sun,) studied this question.