A Free-Bike Solution to Traffic Congestion

I took a test drive of the new B-cycle, at the Hill Flea. It's the free bike system coming to Denver next April, and the first thing I said when I returned the bike was: "OK, I'm in. Here's my $50." Then, "How soon can we bring this transportation system to Boulder?"

In 2010, Denver will be the first major city in the U.S. to launch a "Paris-style" free bike program. Minneapolis, Boston, and Miami will come on-line soon after.

So, what does $50 get you? Fifty dollars is the annual fee, per person, to participate in the free-bike program. Next April, Denver residents will be able to pick up a white Trek bike at any of the bike stations around the metro area. Insert your B-cycle card, and the first 30-minutes are free. However, the next 30 minutes will cost you $1. The next 30-minutes, $2 ... and so on.

The goal, says Lewis Wolman, Director of Planning and Deployment for B-cycle is to get you on and off the bike quickly. Use it to get from A to B, then park it at a station, and let someone else use it. The longer you hold onto it, the more expensive it gets. Every time you use it for 30-minutes or less, then return it to a bike station, it's free.

And free may be better than buying your own bike. In Boulder, for example, $500,000 worth of bicycles are stolen each year.

B-cycle is a collaboration between Humana, Trek Bicycle Corporation, and Crispin, Porter + Bogusky. The idea of creating it as a for-profit business that markets a free-bike system to cities grew out of the free bicycle programs used for both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions in Denver and Minneapolis.

The business was also catalyzed by the experience Humana had with its 10,000 employees in Louisville, Kentucky. When Humana first experimented with offering free bicycles to employees to make it easier to travel to and from work, they thought the program would probably be used by the more athletic employees.

To their surprise, they discovered that the free bike program had universal appeal. Everyone wanted to try it out. The end result was the improved health of their employees.

So what did my power ride show me? That it is easy to get citizens to move around from home to town and work when you provide them with a free bike that includes: a woman's style bike (easy on and off), skirt and pants guard on the bike chain and back tire, front and back tire fenders to protect clothing from wet road conditions, front and back lights powered by pedaling, no-flat tires, and a big basket with a bike lock and bell.

 

 

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Comments

[Alexia Parks - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes, you are right, DC was first ... AND ... here is the difference. DENVER's B-cycle program will be the first *large scale* free bike program for a major US city. Unlike DC's Smartbike program, which has 10 stations and 100 bikes, DEN will have 50 stations with 600 free bikes concentrated in the downtown area.

In DC, Smartbike users must register online and wait for mail delivery of a member's card. In Denver, anyone can walk up to a kiosk, insert a credit card, and receive their membership card. They can immediately check out the bike, ... and instructional signage tells them what to do.

At this stage, however, ALL free bike systems are good. And as these systems spread across the country, the citizens will give on-going feedback for constant improvement. Thanks for reminding me of this important pilot program in DC.

[DCRon]

Washington DC has had it's SmartBike program in place for about a year. See https://www.smartbikedc.com/default.asp

[Spin23]

I sure hope Boulder gets this. It would be a WAAAAAAY more enjoyable way to see the city and zip from place to place. And its BOULDER for crying out loud! The city should be embarrassed not to have it!

[Alexia Parks - Huffpost Blogger]

Boulder is putting aside some money for a program. The successful bidder could have a system in place Fall 2010. So when you see me on the streets of Boulder riding a white trek bike, ring your bell and wave hello. - Alexia

[PlaceboStudman]

I saw a documentary on PBS about the Paris version of this bike system, and they said that it was much more beneficial than even they had predicted, and tourism actually increased as people were more likely to brave the elements, both man made and natural than if they had to hastle with a taxi or subway to get around.

Somebody should have thought of this 20 years ago! Hopefully more cities will adapt this program by the time the other cities that have signed up come online

[Alexia Parks - Huffpost Blogger]

I'm told that - once approved - it takes 9 months (or less) to set up a free bike system, once approved. So I share your hope that this idea will spread rapidly once the news media begins following free bikers around Denver, Minneapolis, Boston, Miami and elsewhere in 2010.

Thanks for the insights on tourism and the Paris bike system. Our family has a 19-year-old studying in Paris right now.