Introduction

This analysis identifies the best locations for new Bluebikes stations in Brookline, MA. Our goal is to make the existing bike share network more convenient and accessible by adding stations where they’re needed most. We’ve considered several important factors:

  • Where people are riding bikes most frequently
  • Areas with high housing density
  • Locations that would connect popular routes
  • Places that are currently underserved by existing stations

Current Bike Share Network

Let’s first look at how the existing bike share system is being used in Brookline:

1. Data Preparation

First, we’ll identify Brookline stations and analyze their usage patterns.

Key Metrics for Current Stations

This table shows the key metrics for existing Brookline stations:

Route Analysis

Next, we analyze the most popular routes to and from Brookline stations:

2. Map of Existing Network

This map shows the current Brookline stations and the most popular routes:

3. Identifying Optimal New Station Locations

We’ve used several methods to identify the best locations for new stations:

  1. Route Intersections: Where multiple popular routes cross
  2. High-Activity Areas: Places with lots of bike activity but few stations
  3. Route Midpoints: Spots that would break up long, popular routes

4. Incorporating Housing Data

To make our recommendations even better, we’ve included information about: - Housing density in different neighborhoods - The proportion of renters (who are more likely to use bike share) - Population density

This helps us ensure that new stations serve areas where people actually live and work.

5. Final Recommendations

Our analysis combines all these factors to identify the best locations for new stations. The final map shows our top recommendations, with each location chosen based on:

  • How many people would use it
  • How far it is from existing stations
  • The housing density in the area
  • The proportion of renters

Detailed Recommendations

The following table shows our top recommendations for new station locations, ranked by trip volume and including key metrics for each location:

6. Understanding Our Recommendations

Each recommended location is carefully chosen based on multiple factors:

  1. Usage Patterns: We look at where people are currently riding bikes most often
  2. Station Gaps: We identify areas that are far from existing stations
  3. Housing Data: We consider where people live and work
  4. Route Connections: We look for spots that would connect popular routes

The final map shows our top recommendations, with each location color-coded by type: - Green: Route intersections - Purple: High-activity areas - Orange: Route midpoints

Key Findings

  1. High-Demand Areas: Several neighborhoods show strong demand for bike share but have limited station access
  2. Route Gaps: Some popular routes could be made more convenient with intermediate stations
  3. Housing Patterns: Areas with high housing density and rental units show particular need for additional stations

Next Steps

  1. Community Input: Share these recommendations with local residents and businesses
  2. Site Visits: Evaluate the practical feasibility of each recommended location
  3. Implementation Planning: Develop a phased approach for station installation

Conclusion

This analysis provides a data-driven approach to expanding Brookline’s bike share network. By focusing on areas with high demand, good connections, and strong potential ridership, we can make the system more convenient and accessible for everyone.