Uneven geographies of cycling: How infrastructure and environment shape the behaviours of experienced and casual city-bike users

City-bike systems operate at the intersection of transport and leisure, yet most studies treat their users as a single group. This research distinguishes between four user types in Trondheim’s bike-sharing network, ranging from frequent commuters to one-time riders, and examines how each interacts with the city’s geography and infrastructure. By integrating route data with measures of accessibility, connectivity, environment, and land use, the study identifies distinct spatial dependencies that reflect different relationships between cyclists and the urban landscape. The analysis shows that terrain not only deters cycling but also reshapes howriders depend on infrastructure. Regular users are primarily influenced by network connectivity and station accessibility, which highlights the importance of infrastructural density in overcoming spatial barriers. In contrast, casual and leisure users respond more strongly to the experiential qualities of place, including cycle lanes, retail destinations, and scenic waterfronts, suggesting that environmental appeal and visible infrastructure are vital for participation. The findings demonstrate that city-bike use cannot be understood through uniform design principles. It emerges from multiple geographies of dependence in which infrastructural function, environmental experience, and topography jointly shape cycling behaviour. Recognising these differentiated patterns is essential for building bike-share systems that are efficient, accessible, and inclusive across diverse urban settings.