Eric There is a rental program called the Red Bike program handled through Budget Bicycle Shop, one of the larger bike stores in Madison. They set a person up with a rental bike for a seasonal fee of $40. The user does not get spiffy high tech bike, but it is a usable used bike (with lock) that fits. It is a loss leader for the store, and not a government agency. But it does offer bicycle access for people not able to pay for the latest and greatest gear.
It is by no means a perfect program, and theft is an issue. But like cars, if it isn't shiney and new, it won't attract as much attention. But the key difference is the different culture in socially acceptable means of transport between the two countries. In Copenhagen, the bicycle is the norm. Like concrete for sidewalks is a "norm." In the US, since, until lately space constrictions, oil prices and an over abundant auto industry have made the automobile the "norm" and socially accepted means of transport and status. Copenhagen's bicycle program and one in Paris caught the attention of Madison's Platinum Bicycle Planning Committee. Not, that they are going to adopt that idea for the mayor, but it was discussed. What the committee and other politically active advocacy groups are trying to do, is find the key arguements that will persuade non-cyclists to be more aware of the rights, priviledges and merits of bicycle riding on roadways shared with motor vehicles and the merits of cycling in general in regards to land use, government funding, health, safety, and the current causes-dejur of gas demands and global/local environmental issues. One does NOT have to be a faoming-at-the-mouth liberal, progressive, moderate, libertarian, conservative politically-tender person to promote bicycle awareness. Just use common sense and tolerence. That way, we'll leave the politics to the voting booths and barroom brawls. ;-) Regards, Darryl Jordan --- Eric Westhagen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Dear Group, > > Of course I am not "in the know" about the history > of bicycle issues in > the greater Madison area. Maybe this idea has been > advocated already > for years and by many. Also, maybe this "European" > idea IS used in > certain American cities---somewhere? > > A week ago on the PBS "GlobeTrecker" travelogue, > Copenhagen municipal > bike rentals were shown and it was told how these > uniform rental bikes > were available everywhere around the city--just > waiting for someone to > unlock with a coin of some denomination. They told > how their > enthusiastic use had cut automobile traffic to a > trickle. It appeared > the uniform and adjustable bikes were unlocked like > "some shopping > carts" at discount groceries. Certainly such an > endeavor would not be > without problems of theft and destruction---but it > would seem that these > days sensors could be put in the bikes so they could > be recovered. > > I know it is out of keeping for a "government hating > libertarian" (and > to one in your group--a troll) to suggest something > like this----but > such could be investigated and all the costs > estimated, based on some > model where this is now being done--either in Europe > or the USA. This > would also be a method to spread the idea of private > ownership of > bicycles. The rental models would not satisfy > enthusiasts with money > and a newly developed bike interest. But such a > plan would legitimize > bike travel more than bicycle "charity" schemes made > up of recycled old > discarded bikes. Such "recycled" bikes would have > the stigma of a > "bread-line" bike. These municipal bikes could be > advertised on TV and > made into--"the thing to do." These bicycles would > be identical, > strong, and serviced. They could also fit on racks > attached to buses. > They could be rented at one rack and returned to > some distant rack. > > One of the problems with bicycles today is their > appearance to > "non-bikers" as elitist, costing big money with > special gear. Few > reading these words in this go-around are riding a > fifty dollar > "Huffy?" But in Europe, the bicycle tradition is > classless. > > Such a municipal bike rental could be tied to the > Madison Bus lines with > some clever political action--something this GROUP > seems well versed in? > > Eric Westhagen > > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies > _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
