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