In my attempt to learn more about other forms of transportation and resource sharing, I ran across this 2006 Wired article detailing a new approach to the old idea (at least in Amsterdam) of public bikes for use in urban areas:
The rent-a-bike scheme, called Vélo'v Grand Lyon, is open to anyone armed with a credit card. It costs 1 euro ($1.20) an hour, but there is no charge for the first 30 minutes. Since 90 percent of trips take less than half an hour, most subscribers pay nothing.
The model resembles that of the fast-expanding car-sharing business on this side of the pond. Which makes sense since, for better or worse (worse, I say) Europeans love bicycles and we Americans love cars.
The bikes have lots of technological bells and whistles (thus, the Wired plug) to keep them from being stolen and to keep Lyonites peddling. Pretty smart marriage of human-powered get-around and edgy technology.
Are you listening Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver ... and all you other big smoggy ol' cities?
Do this. Someone do this. Please.
1 comment:
That someone could be you! Thanks for sharing this
Post a Comment