I am working as a volunteer on a public bikes project here on the island. The idea is to provide a free bicycle to anyone who needs one on a short term basis. The initiative is modeled after similar programs around North America, specifically the Yellow Bikes Project in Portland, OR. All of the bikes are donated as is the labour to maintain them. Today's photo ran on the front page of The Sounder back in September. That's Green Bike #1 which was donated by Bruce Mason. Here is the article. A blog about the project is here.
9 comments:
Taken all those links, Snapper. What an interesting concept. I wonder what the rate of abuse is for this type of non-commercial venture? When I was in Paris I was really impressed by their bike system which is part of their metropolitan transport network. They are not the most elegant of bikes (heavy, lumbering and grey) but they were everywhere and had interesting interchange setups. You can leave the bike at your destination and this caused problems of lopsided distribution to begin with. But Parisians have taken the system up with relish. Not sure how one qualifies though as a tourist - might need to have a friend who has a "card" who can get a bike released.
Good story ...
What a terrific idea, if only more places did this, I am a cycle-aholic, its good for the environment and keeps you fit.
Are those the "Snappettes" in the photo? Great idea and great photo. And non, I will not be tooling around Paris on a bike.
V
Julie, so far the system has not been abused here but then, there are not that many bikes in service as yet. I'm the chief mechanic so I need to get busy! Ann, you are so right on both counts. I'm more fit than I've been in years and we don't burn much fossil fuel. Virginia, good guess but the smiling faces in the photo are not the Snapperettes.
That's a really good idea!
Good luck with the project
that is funny that we both posted about bicycles. what a great project!
A brilliant idea!! It must be fun to be a part of it...
What a neat project! I've read about universities doing similar things, in attempts to make their campuses more green. They take abandoned bikes, fix them up, and make them campus bikes, available to anyone who needs them around campus at any particular time. My alma mater actually had orange and green bikes that you'd find in front of random buildings throughout the year...until they all disappeared due to disrepair and maltreatment. It was disappointing, and I wish the student association would start the project up again.
The little boy in this photo looks absolutely ecstatic to be on this green bike. Great photo. Very real.
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