Hi Eileen, I should also add, in Denmark the bikes were actually paid for and maintained by corporations who were then given the rights to advertise on the “wheels” of the bikes. The picture shows that a bit. When I was in Copenhagen in 2002 I actually used the system. I did quite a bit of riding but I must say the bikes weren’t in the best of shape (which is often the case when something is free) and they used a “tubeless” tire that made the ride relatively rough, especially on those cobblestone roads. :o) Still it was a fun way to get around a very bike friendly city.
I heard theft was a problem but once again it wasn’t on the City’s dime. And I can’t talk to the liability piece. Anyhow it’s a neat idea that was actually free to the City minus the administrative costs, which is always nice.
Cheers,
Bernard
Bernard Seeger, City Administrator
City of Cascade Locks, OR
P.O. Box 308
Cascade Locks, OR 97014
541-374-8484
-----Original Message-----
From: Terence O'Connor
[mailto:toconnor@cityofcoquille.org]
Sent: Tuesday, April
08, 2008 3:24 PM
To: Oregon City/County Management
Association
Subject: RE: [occma] Bicycles for
Public Use
Eileen,
This past weekend, while vicariously vacationing in Europe ( watching a travelogue) there was some info on city bikes in Copenhagen...... it was a rather novel idea, the bikes are free, just requires a deposit and the bike is yours, return it
to anyplace in the city with a city bike rack and your deposit is returned when the bike is placed back on the rack . Here is an excerpt from the Copenhagen tourist website....
I recognize this doesn't address your main questions, but perhaps it could be part of filling the gaps....
Bikes
are the most popular mode of transport in Copenhagen and visitors are also
given the opportunity to experience the city on a bike.
Situated around the city
With just a 20 kroner coin you can get a hold of a colourful bike at one of the
110 citybike-racks that are situated around town. When you are done using the
bike you just return it to one of the citybike-
racks and you get your 20 kroner coin back.
Do as the danes
Citybikes are only allowed in the innercity of Copenhagen and are on the streets
from 1st of May till 15th of December. Do as the Danes -
bike around town - it is a lot easier
Terence
-----Original Message-----
From: Eileen Stein [mailto:estein@ci.sisters.or.us]
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 1:54 PM
To: Oregon City/County Management Association
Subject: [occma] Bicycles for Public Use
Wow! I’ve been away from the list serve for awhile….was in DC last week talking wildfire issues. My, how exciting the discussion has been.
I have a more mundane request…really boring by comparison. Does any one out there have experience with creating a pool of rental (or free) bicycles for people to use to get around town? I was in Portland recently and they have their Zip Car program. This is kind of like that, only for bicycles. How was the fleet paid for? How was the pool maintained? What experience did you have with theft? What insurance (i.e. liability) issues came up? Thanks.
Eileen Stein
City Manager
City of Sisters
P.O. Box 39
Sisters, OR 97759
(541) 549-6022, Ext. 205
(541) 323-5205 - Direct
(541) 549-0561 - Fax
estein@ci.sisters.or.us