Zeno Swijtink
06-17-2008, 08:38 PM
Monday Jun 9
City mulling possible bicycle library system (https://www.paloaltodailynews.com/article/2008-6-9-public-bikes)
If implemented, it could expand cyclist culture
By Sarah Frier / Daily News Correspondent
Does Palo Alto have what it takes to start a public bike-share program?
According to one expert, yes. The city could begin loaning bicycles to commuters within the next couple years and have a full-fledged program running in 10, said Bill Burton, who presented his ideas to bicycle activists and city officials last week. He founded a bike library system in Arcata, Calif., and will direct a new one in Portland, Ore.
"I think this is an opportunity Palo Alto should take advantage of," said former Mayor Jim Birch, who attended Burton's presentation. "It doesn't have to be hard. All we need are people who are committed to make it go."
Burton said a bike-share program would cost the city "about as much as two pickup trucks," and provide a convenient, fuel-efficient mode of transportation for residents.
"Everybody has a bike," he said. "But most of the time it's laying out in the backyard or in the garage with a flat tire."
The convenience of readily available, well-maintained bikes will make the program popular, he said.
If a program is implemented, it will support and expand a bike culture that already exists. Bicycles make up 6 percent of transportation in Palo Alto, compared to 1 percent in Santa Clara, said Council Member Yoriko Kishimoto, adding that there were 1,200 bicycles at the Tour of California this year.
The first step will be deciding which lending system works best. City officials are exploring their options, Kishimoto said.
There are systems in 61 European cities as well as some U.S. locations.
In Arcata, people can borrow bikes for up to six months after paying a $20 refundable deposit. The system operates from a bike library downtown, open on Saturdays.
That's the small-town model. In Paris, bikes are available from electronic racks on the street which cost about $80,000 each to build, Burton said. A user swipes their credit card to use a bike and can return it at any other rack.
Burton advised Palo Alto officials to start with pilot lending systems, such as a bike library on wheels, before doing anything drastic, like tearing up sidewalks a la Paris.
"You need to prove to the public that it works first," he said.
Some who attended Burton's presentation expressed concern - if bicycles are freely available, they might be stolen or vandalized.
"If you know that's coming you can deal with it," said Burton, adding that the same thing happens to stop signs or any other public infrastructure.
"They aren't super-nice bikes," said Richard Swent, chairman of the Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory Committee. "If you can get a bike for $20, why steal one?"
Data presented by Burton showed that once bike lending systems are in place, many switch from driving to cycling.
Ariadne Scott, bicycle program coordinator at Stanford University, said that's what excites her most.
"If you build it, they will come," she said.
E-mail Sarah Frier at [email protected]
City mulling possible bicycle library system (https://www.paloaltodailynews.com/article/2008-6-9-public-bikes)
If implemented, it could expand cyclist culture
By Sarah Frier / Daily News Correspondent
Does Palo Alto have what it takes to start a public bike-share program?
According to one expert, yes. The city could begin loaning bicycles to commuters within the next couple years and have a full-fledged program running in 10, said Bill Burton, who presented his ideas to bicycle activists and city officials last week. He founded a bike library system in Arcata, Calif., and will direct a new one in Portland, Ore.
"I think this is an opportunity Palo Alto should take advantage of," said former Mayor Jim Birch, who attended Burton's presentation. "It doesn't have to be hard. All we need are people who are committed to make it go."
Burton said a bike-share program would cost the city "about as much as two pickup trucks," and provide a convenient, fuel-efficient mode of transportation for residents.
"Everybody has a bike," he said. "But most of the time it's laying out in the backyard or in the garage with a flat tire."
The convenience of readily available, well-maintained bikes will make the program popular, he said.
If a program is implemented, it will support and expand a bike culture that already exists. Bicycles make up 6 percent of transportation in Palo Alto, compared to 1 percent in Santa Clara, said Council Member Yoriko Kishimoto, adding that there were 1,200 bicycles at the Tour of California this year.
The first step will be deciding which lending system works best. City officials are exploring their options, Kishimoto said.
There are systems in 61 European cities as well as some U.S. locations.
In Arcata, people can borrow bikes for up to six months after paying a $20 refundable deposit. The system operates from a bike library downtown, open on Saturdays.
That's the small-town model. In Paris, bikes are available from electronic racks on the street which cost about $80,000 each to build, Burton said. A user swipes their credit card to use a bike and can return it at any other rack.
Burton advised Palo Alto officials to start with pilot lending systems, such as a bike library on wheels, before doing anything drastic, like tearing up sidewalks a la Paris.
"You need to prove to the public that it works first," he said.
Some who attended Burton's presentation expressed concern - if bicycles are freely available, they might be stolen or vandalized.
"If you know that's coming you can deal with it," said Burton, adding that the same thing happens to stop signs or any other public infrastructure.
"They aren't super-nice bikes," said Richard Swent, chairman of the Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory Committee. "If you can get a bike for $20, why steal one?"
Data presented by Burton showed that once bike lending systems are in place, many switch from driving to cycling.
Ariadne Scott, bicycle program coordinator at Stanford University, said that's what excites her most.
"If you build it, they will come," she said.
E-mail Sarah Frier at [email protected]