Checking bikes out of the library?

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2010-03-04 2:24 PM

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Champion
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Subject: Checking bikes out of the library?

I have been asked by my college president to develop a proposal for some sort of "public bike" program at the school where I work. Right now, I am leaning toward purchasing several Kona AfricaBikes, and locking them up outside the library where they can be checked out just like a book. This is the nutshell version.

 

What do you think about it?

2010-03-04 2:45 PM
in reply to: #2708010

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Checking bikes out of the library?
It has been done in other countries.  One may need to get a decent deposit to be part of the program though.  Our culture can be a bit um.... not so respectible of property.
2010-03-04 2:45 PM
in reply to: #2708010

Iron Donkey
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Subject: RE: Checking bikes out of the library?
Madison, WI, through Budget Bicycle, was offering bikes to use free around the Madison area.  The idea was cool, until, obviously, people abused it.

Here's some info -

http://madisondailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/04/free-red-bikes.html

http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/freebike/directory/usa-w.htm
2010-03-04 2:47 PM
in reply to: #2708083

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Slower Than You
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Subject: RE: Checking bikes out of the library?
Perhaps make people sign up for the project, and make them authorize a 40-50% deposit for use, payable via their tuition bill if necessary? College kids can be tracked down for dollars owed much more easily if you can attach things to their fee bills.
2010-03-04 2:47 PM
in reply to: #2708010

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Checking bikes out of the library?
Ohh! My Alma Mater is doing a program like this called Otterbikes. Go here: http://www.otterbein.edu/Sustainability/index.aspand scroll down a wee bit. It basically says that for $10 a year you've got permission to rent a bike and pick it up from the library. It is part of a partnership with the college and the local bike shop (which is fantastic, btw, they cared for my baby all through undergrad). OC is about 3,500 students in a suburban area...dunno how that compares. There's a contact on that page too, and I'm sure they'd love to talk about the program.


On a larger scale, the city of Barcelona does Bicing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicing.

When we were in Spain, those things were bloody everywhere, and everyone from college students in skirts to professionals in suits and suitcases were riding them.


Edited by phoenixazul 2010-03-04 2:50 PM
2010-03-04 2:55 PM
in reply to: #2708010

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Master
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Falls Church, VA
Subject: RE: Checking bikes out of the library?

there is a program in Washington, DC also:

 

https://www.smartbikedc.com/program_information.asp

2010-03-04 3:09 PM
in reply to: #2708095

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Checking bikes out of the library?

phoenixazul - 2010-03-04 2:47 PM Ohh! My Alma Mater is doing a program like this called Otterbikes. Go here: http://www.otterbein.edu/Sustainability/index.aspand scroll down a wee bit. It basically says that for $10 a year you've got permission to rent a bike and pick it up from the library. It is part of a partnership with the college and the local bike shop (which is fantastic, btw, they cared for my baby all through undergrad). OC is about 3,500 students in a suburban area...dunno how that compares. There's a contact on that page too, and I'm sure they'd love to talk about the program. On a larger scale, the city of Barcelona does Bicing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicing.When we were in Spain, those things were bloody everywhere, and everyone from college students in skirts to professionals in suits and suitcases were riding them.

Thanks,

This is almost exactly what I am thinking about. We're about 2000 FTE, and in a small city.
What kind of bikes do they have?

2010-03-04 3:35 PM
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Pro
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Subject: RE: Checking bikes out of the library?
Not sure what they've got hooked up, but the bike shop that donated them deals in, ahem, higher end bikes, so I'd assume they're pretty decent in terms of quality. I'm not in the area so I can't give you a first hand account.
2010-03-04 3:57 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Checking bikes out of the library?
Yep, we have one here at the University of Arizona too:

http://uanews.org/node/28805
2010-03-04 5:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Checking bikes out of the library?
Not sure where you are at (geographicaly) but always think about safety and liability with programs like this. Requiring riders to wear helmets when riding and if caught riding without a helmet suspending their ability to rent etc...Also security of the bikes should be considered. It seems like every place this day and age his full of punks and hoodlums who think it is "cool" to break, bash, tag, crack and slash anything they can get their hands on. If they are out in the open you might end up with slashed tires all the time not to mention more expensive repairs.

It is a great idea though and programs like this can/do a lot a good for the campus/local communities.
2010-03-05 11:03 AM
in reply to: #2708010

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Checking bikes out of the library?

I worked at a school that had a similar program as well.  The school I'm at now raffles away bikes at a number of events.  They have donated at least 40-50 bikes to various people and groups.  My department bought one for faculty to use for on campus errends.  We paid $25.

They get the bikes at police auctions and the local bike club tunes them up.

 

 

2010-03-05 2:03 PM
in reply to: #2708010

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Checking bikes out of the library?
Either Drexel University or University of Pennsylvania has that.  (I think Drexel...but they are in the same 'hood, so I am unsure.)
2010-03-07 10:33 PM
in reply to: #2708010

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Master
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Subject: RE: Checking bikes out of the library?
I think Austin Texas had one but people stole the bikes perhaps a gps tracking device may help.
2010-03-07 10:38 PM
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Pro
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Subject: RE: Checking bikes out of the library?
The school I currently attend (The College of St Scholastica) has a program like that called "Green Bikes" I believe...here's the link for information.  I am no on campus (I'm an online only student,) so I can only go based off what I've seen in emails.  I don't honestly know if they are still doing the program, because there was a lot of disrespect of property, and a lack of following the rules...It's unfortunate, because I think programs like that could be great...
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