Modal synergies between dockless electric bikes and rail transit in Lausanne Switzerland

The integration of cycling with public transport is a key lever for reducing car dependency. Despite the expansion of shared micromobility, empirical evidence on its integration with rail remains limited in medium-sized European cities. This study develops a framework to assess integration between dockless shared e-bikes (DBS) and rail transit in Lausanne, Switzerland. Using high-resolution operator data, we reconstruct e-bike trajectories and identify trips compatible with bike-and-ride transfers through a spatiotemporal “Inside Station Catchment Area” (ISCA) proxy. Descriptive and accessibility analyses characterise DBS–rail integration and quantify station catchment extensions relative to walk-and-ride scenarios. Findings indicate that a substantial share of DBS trips supports rail access and extends station catchments. OLS models across temporal periods identify the key accessibility, land use, and sociodemographic determinants of potential intermodal behaviour. The ISCA framework offers a transferable approach for evaluating first- and last-mile solutions, with implications for station-area planning and integrated mobility policy.