The No Pollution Solution on Two Wheels

AUGUST 5, 2008

Wheels for everyone: Public bike share systems
We all know there are too many cars gridlocking our streets. European cities like Paris, Oslo, Barcelona and Copenhagen have an exercise-and-environment-friendly public bike share and rental system: Pick up a bike when you need one at designated stations and go. Pay with a credit card at self-service kiosks to unlock a bike; then drop it off when you're done. While the U.S. has been using this system for cars with great success for years, we've been slow to adopt this zippy idea for the people-powered two-wheelers.

But the wheels are turning. Some U.S. cities, Washington, D.C., for example have seen the dawn of bike share programs. In New York City, a group of NYU students have gotten a bike share program rolling on campus. Students will be able to rent bikes using cards at their dorms. Free bikes are available on Governor's Island as an incentive to explore the historic site. And the first foray into bike sharing for the Manhattan masses was The New York Bike-Share Project, produced by the Forum for Urban Design and Storefront For Art and Architecture. The project consisted of an experimental (and free!) bike-share program, an exhibition of European successes and design presentations. Its intention: to attract attention and participation from city Government, media, the urban-planning and biking communities and anyone else who thinks there are too many cars out there.

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The No Pollution Solution on Two Wheels

AUGUST 5, 2008

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