A recent study of cyclists in Washington, DC has found that the presence of “trip-end facilities” can make a big difference in encouraging cycling. Where showers, change rooms and parking were available at workplaces, workers were found to be 4.86 times more likely to commute by bike, compared with workplaces with none of these facilities present. Having parking alone made a difference too, but less so. Workers with bike parking facilities (and no showers or change rooms) were found to be 1.78 times more likely to cycle.
All in all, it’s interesting to have data to support the fact that these measures can make a difference. How any of these facilities would influence cycling patterns in other cities would depend on a range of other factors, including how far employees typically have to travel, climate, etc.
The full study can be found in the most recent issue of Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment.