Accessing railway stations with micromobility: Investigating the influence of micromobility parking provision

Micromobility devices, including bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters, can play an important role in providing first- and last-mile connections to public transport. By offering an alternative to short car trips, such integration can support the core sustainability objectives of micromobility. However, broader uptake remains constrained by multiple barriers, including access distance, individual preferences, local geographic conditions, and the limited availability of high-quality micromobility infrastructure. Among these factors, further empirical evidence is needed on the role of parking provision in integrating micromobility with public transport. This study addresses this gap through a comprehensive analysis combining publicly available data on existing bike parking facilities at railway stations across Greater Sydney, demographic data from the latest Australian Census, and a cross-sectional survey of the general population ( N = 1020). A mixed choice model is used to quantify the influence and elasticity of key factors shaping access mode choice. The findings indicate that greater provision of bike sheds and lockers is positively associated with cycling access to rail. The paper also identifies areas with higher predicted probabilities of using micromobility for rail access. Awareness of bike parking facilities is statistically associated with micromobility use, suggesting that awareness may be important alongside the availability of parking infrastructure. The findings provide insights for policymakers in Greater Sydney and other jurisdictions seeking to enhance rail–micromobility integration and advance sustainable transport outcomes.