Free bicycles downtown

Written by senns on 8 August, 2006

Related to change: free bicycles downtown

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I was listening to my coworkers talking today about how many bicycles are stolen every day in Vancouver, and how it is often homeless people or street people, and how the police don't bother to do much about it because if they take the bike back, the thief will just steal another one.

So, I got to thinking, why not have free bikes downtown, in various locations that ANYONE could use any time of the day? There is a program like this somewhere in Europe that apparrently works very well. I think it would be a great anti-theft initiative because then the people who need a bike can borrow one, and just use it, instead of taking transit, or resorting to theft. Of course, there would be some loss through attrition, but what business or program doesn't have loss, but I think most people would respect the program and use it appropriately.

So, if I won the $60,000 I would definitely start this kind of program. In fact, I am thinking of starting it anyway. I am thinking about who to go to for some funding so I can buy some second-hand bikes, and advertise this venture. I would also use the money also for keeping the bikes properly maintained; maybe I would make an arrangement with one or more bike shops where the bikes could be brought for regular or emergency maintenance.

Comments

This is a super idea, senns.

Written by aaron on 9 August, 2006

This is a super idea, senns. There is (or was, last time I checked) a program like this in Toronto (the yellow bikes), Victoria (the purple bikes) and at the UBC campus in Vancouver (supported by the AMS bike co-op). You buy a key for a small price & that unlocks any of the bikes that you find, which are usually locked up in set locations, in specially marked racks.

I always feel envious when I see these programs running so successfully in other towns. If you want to start it up here in Vancouver, I would love to help!

My husband and I saw this at

Written by Anonymous on 25 August, 2006

My husband and I saw this at work on a recent holiday, and our first comment was "These bikes are so ugly no one would WANT to steal them!" I think free bikes are a great idea, and with the right sort of structure (neon paint works wonders) around organizing this venture it could be very successful in Vancouver.

totally cool idea. I chose

Written by nancy aka money... on 15 January, 2007

totally cool idea.

I chose to give up my car about 8 years ago, since I live downtown anyway, and use transit or my bike.... which was subsequently stolen from my underground, locked storage. And yes, despite my general sorta-compassion (see gastown/dtes blog), I was pretty bitter everytime I saw a drug-kid biking around dtes, wondering if 'their' bike contained parts of my bike!

I would LOVE a concept similar to the auto-coop network.

I wonder if we could make it viable by putting adverts on the sides of the bikes, or the wheels? Vancity and United We Can came up with an idea to prevent shopping cart theft: provide carts for free with logos. I don't know how viable that's proven, but could be a model for this.