Study of Capital Bikeshare concludes that it reduces congestion by 2-3%

From a recent study of Capital Bikeshare:

Our empirical results indicate that the average treatment effect of the presence of bikeshare docks is a 2 to 3% reduction in traffic congestion. In addition to these results, we also find evidence of a potential spillover effect, in which docks increase congestion in neighboring locations, perhaps as they lead drivers to find alternative routes to avoid bicycle traffic. The magnitude of this impact is substantial relative to the effect in which docks offer transportation alternatives and reduce traffic congestion.

Comments

[Eric Brenner]

Any study on this topic is valuable, but...after reading this, have to wonder about number of Bikeshare users who are using WMATA less, as opposed to using cars less. Also wonder about increase in car users who formerly used WMATA adding to road congestion. WMATA has been bleeding riders during the time of this study, seems like a big factor only briefly mentioned.