Vienna, etc.

Bike Sharing in Vienna LINK (Thanks for the correction!)
Ways to Pedal Towards Bicycle Advocacy LINK
China Rolling With Bike Sharing (3 Decent Links within article) LINK
Industrial Design Social Bike Sharing LINK
Response: This is a very cool idea that, in time, can be explored. Public bikes need to be very gritty, "bomb proof" bicycles that can withstand a beating (See Paris). With all of the technology on the handlebars it wouldn't last a few hours in the public way. Something tells me no city is ready for "bone conduction technology to transmit sound through the head's bones." All in all still a very cool idea.
Bixi Toronto Update LINK
Worst Advertisement Ever: (AUDI)


How does an advertisement portraying alternative forms of transportation negatively ever reach the airwaves in this day and age?

Green Ways to Travel LINK

Santa Clara County!

Bay Area Is Doing It! Silicon Valley! LINK 1 LINK 2 LINK 3
Conquering Bike Phobia LINK
New York: From Good Enough to Great LINK
Los Angeles Taking A Closer Look LINK
Sharing Services is Good (For Your Wallet) LINK
Bike Sharing in the U.S. LINK (Natl. Geographic[not much new here])
San Francisco Pushing Forward With a Pilot LINK
Japan Kicked Off Bike Sharing (Oct. 3rd) LINK

Will Boston Work? LINK
Need to Improve Philadelphia Infrastructure LINK
Mobility as Privilege LINK
BIXI is closing down! (for the season) LINK
Ad Firm Goes Green with Bikes LINK
Bike Sharing Expanding in Ottowa LINK

You would already be there!

(Do you still drive a car? If you rode a bike you would already be there![Girona, Spain])

Where is Chicago's Program? LINK (Chicago Tribune)
Lessons Learned from Bike Sharing Pioneers LINK (MotherNatureNetwork)
Bikes: Bright Idea vs. Human Nature LINK (Boston Globe)
Irishman's Personal Account of Dublin Bike Share LINK (Irish Times)
San Francisco announces bicycle plans after injunction is lifted LINK (SF StreetsBlog)
Crazy Bike Storage Tower in Tokyo!

A Vexing Issue

New York Bike Sharing Could Start in Upper West Side LINK
Bike Sharing not just for French Commies LINK
Velib Article (New York Times) LINK
Articles Addressing Velib:
LINK1(Sustainable Cities Collective)
LINK2(Greenr.ca)
LINK3(Metropolis Mag.com)
LINK4 (Tokyo Green Space)
LINK5 (Treehugger.com)
LINK6 (examiner.com)
LINK7(The Gazette, Montreal)

Melbourne Chooses an Operator LINK




A word from Jonathan Sobin:

I was listening to a radio talk show today and the subject of the conversation was alternative cars and traffic in Los Angeles. Much of the dialogue centered on hybrid and electric cars. The commentators chatted about the technology, market conditions, and consumer trends. They explored tactics to convert more people to alternative cars and the motivations of consumers. Then a listener called in and made the pivotal point in the discussion. He made the common sense observation that even if you convert every driver on the road to an alternative vehicle, you still have the same amount of cars on the road, creating the same amount of congestion! The problem isn’t the type of energy the cars run on; it’s the abundance of the cars themselves. From a traffic and parking perspective, it does not matter if the cars are running on gasoline, electricity, natural gas, plant algae, or rocket fuel – a roadway crammed with cars is a roadway crammed with cars.

The solution to this problem is to convert drivers to other modes of transportation, not other types of cars. One way to accomplish this is to increase the number of people who commute by bicycle. A proven way to increase the number of people who commute by bicycle is to implement a third generation (automated) bike share program. Already utilized in more than 120 cities worldwide, such programs are in the queue for transportation professionals throughout the U.S. By providing on-demand and conveniently located bike stations, consumers can rely on a healthy, sustainable and practical form of transportation that doesn’t clog our roads.

Jonathan Sobin

COO, The Collegiate Bicycle Company

jonathan@collegebikes.com

More to come....

Ecotrip Zotwheels Launch!

The UC-Irvine Zotwheels bicycle sharing program is set to launch.

The program will be a 3rd Generation (automated) bicycle sharing network, utilizing RFID tracking technology. After signing up, students will use their student ID card to check out a bicycle and return it to any station in the network. Using patented software administrators will have the ability to track all the bicycles in real time and collect valuable information.

The Zotwheels program was developed by UC-Irvine Parking and Transportation Department, The Collegiate Bicycle Company, and Central Specialties Limited. Like other programs of its kind it was developed to eliminate single occupancy car trips within and around the campus. Some effects of the program will be: reduced carbon emissions, traffic and parking relief, and increased overall health and physical fitness.

The bicycles are provided by The Collegiate Bicycle Company, a San Diego based company that specializes in meeting bicycle needs on college and university campuses nationwide. Zotwheels bicycles include a custom UCI design, with UCI logos, colors, and graphics. The high quality of the bicycles will help to maintain the program. It has been proven that the quality of the bicycle in the program directly correlates with the success of the program.

The Collegiate Bicycle Company is a leading provider of bicycles for numerous bicycle programs of all shapes and sizes. The company provides custom bicycle designs and consulting to accommodate each client's needs. For more information please contact info@collegebikes.com.

TV COVERAGE:

Are Dedicated Bike Lanes LESS Safe?! LINK
(Very Interesting!)
University of Nebraska Bike Share Program LINK

University of Richmond Bike Share Program LINK
Blue Cross Blue Shield to Sponsor Minneapolis Bike Share LINK
Car Sharing Set to Kick Off in Paris LINK
Philadelphia Ride: NO CARS ALLOWED LINK
Janette Sadik-Khan Transcript Discussing Global Thinking LINK
Bixi Misses a Spot in Montreal LINK

Mississippi State Adding More CollegeBikes! LINK

Battle of the Bike Share LINK
To clarify their article, Ecotrip is the bicycle sharing equipment presented by The Collegiate Bicycle Company. We will be launching our first program in the coming weeks. Our bicycle is not a single speed cruiser. We can customize our bicycle in any way imaginable. Our in house design team will work with our clients to design the best bicycle that community members will ride the most. Questions please feel free to contact me. (matt@collegebikes.com)
Congrats Bucharest LINK
Using Social Networking to Get Stolen Bikes Back LINK
Mayor Gavin Newsome in Mexico City talkin' bike share LINK
Portland Roundup from Demos a few weeks back LINK
(read the comments section)
Whats the most efficient way to transport 300 People? LINK
Bloomberg Loves Bikes (now that he wants to be reelected!) LINK
Un-velib-able! (Well informed comment) LINK
Siemens + Orange County Choppers = Cool ebike LINK
US Colleges Set a Green Course LINK
Sierra Club names top ten eco schools LINK
More riders in NY, Less Casualties? (I question this logic) LINK

New York City Bike Share Demo: Ecotrip™

Come Join Us in New York this weekend for the Summer Streets Program. We will be demonstrating our bike sharing equipment Ecotrip™ on Saturday and Sunday. Our locations are as follows:

August 15th 630am to 1pm - 26th St btwn Park and Lexington

August 15th 3pm to 6pm - Madison Sq/Worth Sq (25th and Broadway)

August 16th 11am to 5pm - McCarren Park (Bedford Ave. and N. 12th St in Brooklyn)

See you there!



In Other Bike Share News:

12 Ways to fix transportation woes(I like number 1) LINK
Seattle Bike Share Demo LINK
Boston Chooses Bixi LINK
London Bike Share LINK (Article obtained through The Bikesharing Blog)
Portland Launches New Website, Survey LINK
Boston Tries to Shed Poor Cycling Reputation(New York Times) LINK
Nicole Freedman: "The grand plan is to change the culture, which is an incredible task."(Amen)
Boston's Unruly Riders (Boston Globe) LINK
Yeah Delaware....KEEP IT UP LINK
Interesting Tree Bike Rack LINK

BIG MONTH in bike sharing

New York Times Reporting on Summer Streets Program LINK
World Streets List (this is a serious list of info) LINK
50000 public bikes in Hangzhou LINK1 LINK2
Obis - New Program to Study Best Practices in Bike Sharing LINK (From Bike-share Blog)
People Just Don't Get It - "Bike Sharing Boosted at Expense of Real Progress" LINK
Response: One can't really argue with the notion that infrastructure is important. But the title of the article itself holds negative connotations and should read: "Bike Sharing IS Real Progress"
Ottawa program a hit LINK
Cool way to display modal split (From Greater Greater Washington) LINK
Bixi going to San Francisco LINK
Awesome Wired article about treating bikes like cars LINK
Cool Rear Light Creates your own bike lane! LINK
Humana takes Freewheelin program to Palo Alto for Senior Games LINK
Question: Are the Freewheelin? or BCycle? Is there a reason for this?
Switzerland Bike Scheme Booms Despite Poor Cycle Paths LINK
Bloomberg: NYC Law Would Require Buildings to Give Bike Access LINK
Charge your Mobile Phone with your Bike?! LINK

Bike Sharing Round Up

Why Vandals Hate Paris Bikes Link
TIGER Funds in DC! Link 1 Link 2
Washington Post: Share and Swap Replaces Buy and Grab Link
Project for Public Spaces - Bike Flocks Link











Smartbike $70,000 for One Station! Link
Bikes Important in Mexico City Green Plan Link
Bike Sharing Spurs Retail Sales (Straight from Gilles Vesco) Link













Portland Looks to Bike Sharing Again Link 1 Link 2
Taiwan Bike Share Using Advantech, ePlatform service provider Link
Bixi Bikes and Helmets Link
Vancouver Bike Tax?! Link
Not Your Father's Bike-Share Program Link

Miscellaneous:
Bernie Madoff serves his time in a LEED-certified prison Link
Why don't you forget how to ride a bike? Link

Dublin Stood Up by JC Decaux

Dublin Still Waiting for Invisible Bike Share (HaHa) - Link













Mexico City Plan Verde - Link

One Step Forward:
Harrassing Cyclists A Misdemeanor in Columbia, Missouri - Link
Two Steps Back:
San Antonio Governor Vetoes "Safe Passing" Bill - Link

Washington DC Bike Sharing Numbers & Swiss Bike Shareing! - Bike Share Blog
Cycling to work benefits adding up - Link
Florida Atlantic makes classic bike share mistake: No Accountability - Link
How to Make a City Green Without Tearing It Down - Link (Boston Globe)
The Future of Bikes? (Crazy Concept "Bike") - Link
Iphone App for Bicing - Link

Bike sharing is close to its tipping point. Bike sharing is dropping worldwide into major cities like dominoes. After it has been proven to work, to quote The New York Times article from a few months back, "there are said to be two types of mayors in Europe, those that have bicycle sharing programs and those that want them." This is the trend. Most of the dominoes have fallen in Europe.

That being said with the launch of Bixi in Montreal, it is apparent that most other Canadian Mayors seem to have Bixi-envy. Edmonton has launched a small summer pilot program with the cooperation of the mayor. Toronto's program from years past has closed down, now the city has entered into sole source negotiation with Public Bicycle System. I have posted in the past that Vancouver is interested and currently have a few small pilot programs running. I can't wait to see the rest of the dominoes fall in Canada (Calgary and Winnipeg whats taking so long?) There are many bicycle sharing companies out there able to provide the services that Bixi does. Please contact me if you would like more information. (Matt@collegebikes.com)

The rest of the world seems to be learning (China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, more) With DC in action and New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia coming on strong lets keep it going. Let us Americans learn from our neighbors up north and MOVE!


UNITED STATES

Philadelphia Biketopia! Link (Nice picture!)
Small Green Bay Bike Share Link










CANADA
Toronto Enters into Sole Source Negotiations with Public Bike Systems (BIXI) Link
Small Edmonton Bike Share Program Launching for City Workers Link
Ottawa Citizen Article Link 1 Link 2
Ottawa Bike Share Trial Run Link
A Day in the Life of Bixi Link
Bixi Launched! Link











OVERSEAS
Bici in Citta Announces 6 New Bike Share Programs! Link
Response: Wow, one company has 42 networks operating in Italy alone!
Budapest Making Moves Link 1 Link 2
Response: Budapest is asking for funding from the EU. Are public bike systems becoming public works projects?! Brilliant. (Thanks CyclingSolution for the info)
Paris Velib "Stop Vandalising" Campaign Link
The Bike is King (in the Netherlands) by Paul DeMaio (BikeShare Blog) Link
Melbourne Plans Link
















MISCELLANEOUS
Sharing Economy a Tidal Wave Link
University Bicycle Program Benefits Link
Decent Article about where bike sharing came from and where its going Link
Living Without A Car Link Link 2
Response: I particularly like these articles because I don't own a car myself!
Cool Boston Based Article about Rejuvenating Old Ways of Transportation (Bikes) Link
Recession Changing Green Builders Focus Link

New York Cycling Debate and Much More

Study of Cyclists Behavior by Hunter College Professor -
Click Here
Response to Study of Cyclists Behavior By Hunter College - Click Here
Another Response -
Click Here
Please read the comments, many very informed questions and comments.



More Articles:
CNN Article City Bike Sharing Picks Up Speed - Click Here
Rome Bike Share Returning June 1, (with some changes) - Click Here
Interesting Little Article About Transportation Choice - Click Here
I don't know who wrote this one but I couldn't agree more! - Click Here
Article about new navigation apps - Click Here
Uh-Oh Melbourne bike share off to slow start (Web interest may not translate?) - Click Here
Paul DeMaio Article from Commuter Pages - Click Here

Utterly Unsexy - Velib's Opposite Program - Click Here
My Response: Low tech, recycled bike programs are a good way to increase cycling IN THEORY. When you add the cost of labor to refurbish old bikes, the cost of acquiring the bikes, and the cost of replacement parts to get the bike rolling, you might as well look into a custom bicycle program. Uniform, high quality bicycles are the best way to ensure a successful program. It is proven, however, that these programs do not have the longevity of a high tech bike program. Hence, the development of the 3rd Generation Bicycle Sharing Programs!

Clever way to encourage cycling in Copenhagen - Click Here
My Response: It is important to celebrate milestones for bicycling to enrich the bicycle culture and maintain its permanency in the community.

Here is a video featuring the new buses in Paris to redistribute the bikes. Translation not included.

Un nouveau bus pour réguler Vélib'
Uploaded by mairiedeparis. - News videos from around the world.
Thank you to The Bike Sharing Blog for the video tip!

The following links regarding Minneapolis were found at this blog (Click Here):

• Behm, Jon (February 8, 2009) Bike sharing planned for Minneapolis Twin Cities Daily Planet
• Nealis, Wayne (May 20, 2009) 1,000 Bikes coming to Minneapolis? Twin Cities Daily Planet
• Louwagie, Pam (February 21, 2009) Whistleblower: Is 1-mile bike path worth $9.2 million? StarTribune
• Wallace, William (February 22, 2009) Liberal infrastructure: $9.2 million for 1-mile bike path CoincidenceTheories.com

CORRECTION: The article from Time Magazine in my previous post stated that the Taiwan bike share program will be the first of its kind in Asia. This is not so. To clarify, programs have been started in Korea, China, and Thailand. My apologies!

New York Times and Time Magazine Articles!

It is exciting when major national publications take notice of a growing trend that will positively impact our society. I hope to continue to grow awareness for bicycle sharing and bicycle programs in the United States. Thanks for reading.


From the looks of this picture, Taiwan could use some more bicycles!

Articles:
Taiwan Bicycle Sharing - Time Magazine Article Click Here
Bixi Launches - New York Times Green Inc. Article Click Here
Bixi Launches - Planetizen Article Click Here
Boston Mayor Celebrates Bicycles - Click Here


CORRECTION:

The pricing structure of the Denver Program was misstated in the Westword article. The prices will be $2.99 for a daily subscription and $50 for a yearly subscription. 1/2 hour free then fees start.

Denver Bike Share Pushed Back!? Click Here
(No free half hour before raising rates?)


Huffington Post Takes Notice of Barcelona Click Here



Video from article is below courtesy of FairCompanies.com:

Articles!

Philadelphia announces plan to be greenest city by 2015 Click Here
Edinburgh Residents Like the Idea! Click Here
Minneapolis Gets Federal Funding? Click Here
Sharing Bikes a Public Good Click Here

May is National Bike Month!

Cartoon Credit: www.bikexchange.com

Celebrate Bicycles! Here is a step by step guide to making the most of May and promoting bicycling in your community complements of The League of American Bicyclists.

To view the pdf : Click Here
To find events going on in your state : Click Here

Vancouver Pledges to be the Greenest City

Green is not Cliche, any city that pledges to become greener is deserving of support. Congratulations to Mayor Gregor Robertson for bringing sustainability to the forefront in British Columbia politics.

Vancouver puts forth plan to make Vancouver "The Greenest City in the World"


City of Vancouver Greenest City Action Team Site - Click Here
Blog Post/Article - Click Here

"Public Bike Sharing Paving the Way to a Greener Urban Environment"

Below is a link to the CNN article published a few weeks ago with some interesting information. The word is spreading, public bicycle sharing can and will change transportation in urban areas.

CNN Article Click Here

University of Utah Launches U Bike Program

University of Utah Launches U Bike Program

Bicycles for this program were provided by The Collegiate Bicycle Company



Thanks for noticing the incorrect link, please report dead links to me as soon as they are noticed!

How else can we prove bicycles are good means of transportation?

Interesting Graph Presented from Cycling Solution





Articles:

Bike Thefts at Emory LINK
Minneapolis Compares to Lyon LINK
USF Official Steps Down After Stealing a $100 Dollar Bike!?!? LINK
JC Decaux Article LINK
DC Bike Share Eyes Expansion LINK

Articles (Bike Share World Still Reeling)

It still seems that the bike sharing world is reeling from one press release from an advertising giant. They clearly know how to manipulate the media. The Streetsblog has disputed the claims of JCDecaux based on five sources while JCDecaux's story was only told in two articles. Interesting. I will let you be the judge.

JCDecaux Spin the Media? - LINK
Cisco Launches the Intelligent Urbanisation - LINK
Spokeswomen Promote Town Cycling Initiative - LINK
Can Thieves and Vandals Defeat Velib - LINK
Don't Stop Velibing - LINK
Velib Could Learn from Austin CarShare - LINK
Transportation Demand Strategies - LINK

SEE!

Paris Bike Share Woes Greatly Exaggerated - LINK

Paris Bike Share Problems or Excuses

Photo Credit: Bike Share Blog

BBC Article about Paris Bike Share Link

Response:

Don't Let Advertising Company Fool You.

There are many issues that I have with this article. The 3rd Generation of Bike Share programs make the users financially responsible for the bicycles when they are rented out. If that is the case and many of the bicycles are stolen, users would be required to pay for the bicycles and be no cost to the program (JCDecaux). Why are stolen bicycles costing the company money?

How are the bicycles being stolen? If the bicycles are being stolen right from the racks/kiosks themselves, the JCDecaux is at fault and should start to consider higher security on the locking of the bikes into place. New bicycle share companies are coming out with their own locking technology that may be better than past models. Stay tuned.

The Paris model has been the prototype for bike sharing since its inception. I don't claim that JCDecaux had seen this coming but it seems obvious and pretty one-sided in retrospect. JCDecaux doesn't care about getting people out of single occupancy vehicles, they care about dollars and cents. When it seems that Velib may be losing money, let us not forget the billions of dollars they are making from the 10-year contract they signed for outdoor advertising in Paris. It is a sign of greed that while the bike sharing aspect may be more expensive than they had anticipated, they still make billions from the city. They can say they want out of bike sharing in Paris and the city can't exactly pull the bike sharing stations out of the ground and inconvenience citizens who rely on Velib to commute to work. The city has received worldwide acclaim for its green transportation initiatives, it will be very difficult for them to stop now. Velib and JCDecaux have taken such a deep root in the city that it seems they hold the cards in renegotiating their contract. Their greed (and perhaps their foresight) is sad and unfortunate.

This can't stop bike sharing from happening. It is sad to see that when one advertising giant chooses to leverage their position against a city that the world takes notice. We can't let some flaws in the relationship between Paris and an advertising giant dictate the global attitude towards bicycle sharing. Is theft and vandalism and excuse for JCDecaux to get money from Paris? Should the penalty be raised for not returning a bicycle? How is JCDecaux losing money? Can somebody find some numbers?

For the past few years I have been following the ups and downs of bike sharing in the world. More press should have been generated daily about the positive impact bicycle sharing was having on the environment, economy, and health of the population. It is crazy how the press and blogs are quick to jump on negativity. Negative press such as this should only be a minor speed bump in the road towards future transportation. We can't let people sitting on their butts in front of their computers or ad execs in their ivory towers control the way active people live.

Minneapolis Bike Share Pushed Back?

Bike Sharing in Minneapolis? LINK

I was under the impression that Minneapolis was a go for bike sharing. This seems odd to me that they are looking for ideas and sharing information rather than moving it along. Has the city lost funding? Was the project too expensive? Any thoughts on this matter would be welcomed.

Articles

Here are some more relevant articles:

The Collegiate Bicycle Company adds new bicycle programs to resume:

University of California - Irvine Bike Sharing Page - Link
Mississippi State University Launches Manual Bike Share - Link

Interesting Google Map of Bike Sharing Link
Milan and Istanbul Receive Award for Bike Sharing Link
New York Moving Towards European Feel Link
Baltimore Getting More Bike Friendly Link
The Psychology of Sharing Link
$100 Fine for opening car door into cyclist! Link
New York City wins Award for Sustainability Plan Link
Auto Bailout Good but Cars are Cash-Guzzlers!!! Link
Brisbane Bike Share Link

NUBIJA - Korea's Bike Sharing Network to Begin

• Official Site - Link
• Treehugger Description - Link
• Simple Description - Link

Arrrrrticles

Ottawa Bike Share Pilot - Link
Bike Sharing in Ottawa - Link
Austin Bike Share Far Off - Link
Denver is Making Moves - Link
Landscape & Urbanism (Green Streets, Cool Pictures) - Link
Increasing Carsharing in Paris - Link

I thought this was a joke. But it is very, very real.

Bicycle Condoms? For the germophobe Link
Response Article to Bike Condoms Link

New Articles

We are extremely busy with many projects and I apologize for the lack of weekly posts. But I don't apologize for increasing cycling in the US!

"Cold Cycling Tips" Link
"SmartBike Dialog" Link
"Denver Bike Share" Link
"DC Angry Over Denver Bike Share Claim" Link
"Brisbane Bike Share Delayed by Economy" Link

Happy New Year Bike Sharers.

My apologies to those that eagerly await my posts every week! Bike sharing is about to take off in America. With the interest in alternative transportation rising, bike sharing is truly becoming a hot topic in cities and municipalities worldwide. Mark my words, new companies will emerge this year and make a mark on bike sharing in America.

Let's change the world this year.

Articles of the Week
Rating: Link (Topic) (Relation to BikeSharing)

1. "Milan Bike Sharing" Link (Bike Sharing)(10)
Response: Yet another European city getting it right!
2. "Bike Retail Sales are Down in the Winter" Link (Retail Bicycle)(4)
Response: Economic downturn effecting retail sales. Purchasing a bike is even less likely now with decreasing extra money. Bike sharing can keep people riding bicycles without having to purchase their own.
3. "2008 Bike Sharing Wrap Up" Link (Bike Sharing)(10)
4. "More Edmonton Problems" Link (Bike Sharing)(9)
Response: Again, there must be accountability to the user.
5. "5 Year Traffic Study Shows Bike Accident Statistics" Link (Bicycles)(5)
Response: Shows that infrastructure is vital for safety of users and will help to ensure the bicycles are ridden. Safety is a major concern for bicycle riders, especially in an urban setting.
6. "Bike Emory & Fort Collins" Link (Bike Libraries)(7)
7. "Air Quality: Ways to Improve Air Quality" Link (Pollution)(3)
8. "Bike Meet the City, City this is the Bike" Link (Urban Cycling)(7)
9. "Buenos Aires Moving Forward with Bike Sharing" Link (Bike Sharing)(10)
10. "Alaskan Bike Race - Iditarod without the Dogs" Link (Misc. Bike)(0)
11. "UPS Saves Fuel With Christmas" Link (Bike Benefits)(6)
Response: Solid proof of the increased mobility bicycles provide.


Interesting Bicycle Website:

EcoVelo - Link
Riding Pretty - Link