[SustainableTompkins] urban bike rental programs

[Margaret McCasland]

As a "thank you" to ST from my home away from home in Australia:
I just heard a new story on the ABC (NPR-ish radio Down Under) about
urban bike hire plans being considered across Australia, modeled on
programs growing rapidly and successfully in Europe.

We had a "red bike" program in Ithaca during the 80s (modeled on the
White Bikes of Amsterdam). I believe it was tried twice, with the same
results both times: all the bikes were stolen and many ended up in the
gorges.

While these current private/public partnerships depend on large
numbers of people seeing the ads on the bikes (Clear Channel is one of
the partners!), perhaps some small-city variation could be developed.
Below are a few links.

Limited inner city program in Copenhagen:
http://members.aol.com/humorme81/citybike.htm

http://ridethisbike.com/2007/03/self-service-bicycle-rental-programs.html

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2005/08/68576

Margaret McCasland