Bike shares: past, present, future and a bike share feasibility study for Athens, Georgia

This thesis sets out to examine the evolution of bike shares in the world, but particularly in the United States. Five case studies from various size cities across the United States are used to show the variety of components and planning of public bike shares. The advantages to bike shares are discussed to show how bike shares can offer an alternative public transportation option for municipalities to improve transportation, environmental, health, and quality of life issues. The second half of the thesis applies the lessons learned from the case studies and evolution of bike shares to apply a bike share feasibility study for Athens, Georgia.