The PCEF Cycling Group is preparing a proposal for Pune for a "ride and return" cycle program. The aim is to promote casual, short trip, cycling and make it a visible mode. The idea is to create 400 locations in the city where specially branded cycles can be picked up and returned. Each location will have
- About 25 cycles
- A "caretaker" who will manage the cycles and do minor repairs and maintenance
10,000 cycles may need to be sponsored by various corporates, individual donors, PMC. Attrition in cycles is expected; fleet will need constant additions. After initial losses, it is expected that cycle fleet numbers will stabilize.
Watch a video made by Manisha Sheth-Gutman on Velib, the celebrated bicycle sharing programme in Paris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDBfwU6zni8
Read an article on the bicyle sharing concept, Velib and other programmes http://www.alternet.org/story/72528/
What do you think about the 'Ride and Return' proposal for Pune: ... will it work? ... your suggestions for how to make it work ... can you help? Post your comments ...
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13 comments:
Its a mad idea but I think its worth a try. After all it has worked in Paris. And whats to lose really even if it doesn't quite work the same way in Pune.
Would love to help. Tell me how? Talk to corporates for sponsorship? Design presentations?
It is very ambitious project. It will definetly work. There are some points of concern such as, 1. there should be proper security arrangements to take care of the cycles, otherwise they will disappear on the inauguration day,
2. The concept of ' ride and return bicycle' should be given wide publicity thriugh news papers, PMC hoardings and may be a video clip in multiplexes, 3. the spots should be selected in such a way that they form an integral part of the overall journey of the commuter from one point to the other.
Thanks
Can we try a few hubs with electrical battery charged bikes as well, or are bicycles sacrosanct? They would need to be handled differently, with maybe a SMART card kind of arrangement for those would like to sign up for an electrical bike 'ride and return'
Many people I have talked to about this idea ask whether this will really increase cycling in the city given the fact that it's almost impossible to ride.
It's therefore important to understand the goals/objectives of this initiative. It's basically to boost the image of cycling. Today cycling is not a mode of choice (except for some crazy enviros/enthusiasts) and the city is not seen to be doing enough for these marginalized commuters. It should help create a vocal group of cyclists (even if occasional riders) to demand better facilities for cyclists (cycle tracks, parking spots, removal of parking charges etc). So immediately this suggests that (a) branding/coolness factor is important (b) creating a sense of cycling community through schools and colleges and young professionals must be a part of this.
Can you provide a link to this electric bicycle?
The good thing is that the entire scheme can be self-sustaining, bar perhaps some initial investment to publicize/brand the whole thing.
Some of believe that even if all the bikes actually get stolen very soon, it is OK - because after all they are being stolen to be ridden which is the purpose anyway! But hopefully increasingly affordable technologies such as GPS and smart cards should make it tougher to steal the bikes.
Do these electric bikes have a battery management programme or not? Battery based bikes can be a totally unsustainable mode of transport if used battery waste is not properly managed.
Must Read This Document
http://www.jcdecaux.com/UserFiles/File/press-release-velib.pdf
it is difficult to implement such a good idea, but it can encourage to take up cycling. i can contribute being a journalist.
Hi Ajay, thanks for yoour comment .... so, best to make use of your offer. Would you be able to run an article on the idea, and perhaps (actually importantly!) ask for readers views on how citizens can help?
Actually before we open up to public comments and how they can help, we should have a fairly good plan document in place. It is just a very high level idea at this point and people tend to be quite critical.
ok. would a sharable detailed plan be available soon ... and can we work towards articles asking for citizens inputs both as a way of informing/ building acceptance, as well as actually getting on-ground user input which would help design a better facility.
Hi - This is a great idea. As a follow up we started a "No Vehicle Day" in our Office every Wednesday. People joining this initiative had to either come Walking, bicycle, use public transport or Pool their cars / bikes. We have got a good response so far. The whole momentum needs to be kept moving ahead with Poster campaigns within the company as well we making use of blogs etc to spread the word.
IT companies in particular with employees within a 4 / 5 Km radius residences can adopt this approach.
More details and pictures on my blog
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