Announcing the Roll Out of "Red Bike" - a new bicycle sharing-rental programWe are proud and excited to announce Bike Rental Station in Franceour initial roll-out of an old idea of Sam's that has long been brewing behind the scenes. Last week, the Portland Office of Transportation began soliciting offers from the private sector for a new bike sharing program similar to what is being offered in more and more European cities, including most recently Paris. The bike rental system is part of Sam's efforts to attain a Platinum rating from the Leauge of American Bicyclists, something that no major U.S. city has yet done. The hope is that this rental system will provide people who otherwise would not receive the opportunity to choose bicycling for short trips around the central city. Rental bikes make it as easy as possible and take away the hassles that sometimes come with transporting and locking up your bike. Portland hopes to provide a lot of would-be bicyclists a convenient transportation option and contribute to the city's larger goals, such as reducing congenstion and our addiction to polluting, middle-eastern oil. Typical Rental BikeAs folks who have lived in Portland a while know, this is not the first time the city has attempted a bike-sharing program. In the mid-nineties one thing Portland tried to do to make bicycle riding a viable transportation alternative was the now famous (or infamous, depending on your point-of-view) Yellow Bike program. The program, in a perhaps somewhat Utopian way, basically distributed a bunch of bright yellow bikes across the city, which were then free and open to public use. As one might predict, this effort garnered a lot of attention, but the non-profit effort eventually died out as the bikes kept getting stolen and/or became too vandalized to ride. While "Red Bikes" is reminiscent of the old Yellow Bike program, it will actually be a lot more like FlexCar, only for bicycles. Here's how it works: 1. A series of bikes (500 initially, but more in the future if it proves successful) will be distributed across the city at kiosks at likely destinations and starting points for a bike rider. 2. These bikes will be locked into the kiosks with special technology that only opens when you enter your credit card data. 3. If you want to ride, you swipe your card, and pay a nominal fee for the ride. This program has security measure to prevent theft and damage. 4. These bikes will constantly be monitored and rotated around to make sure that they don't build up at certain end points, and that there are always enough at particularly popular origination spots. Already in use in France in Lyon and Paris, we know that this type of program can be successful. PDOT intends to create a network of low-cost rental bikes similar to the Velo-v program developed in Lyon, France, France's third-largest city, and now in Paris. The news: Our office has (after much discussion and legal wordsmithing) recently released what in the bureaucratic world is called a "request for proposals " or RFP. Basically, with an RFP, we are asking companies from the private sector to propose different possible programs that they could help us implement, run, and/or administer. If you know anyone who would be seriously interested in pursuing this opportunity, the RFP is below. We are also seeking input from the community about the best potential locations for these kiosks. If you have thoughts, feel free to post below. The RFP has a list of potential spaces that we are initially considering, but this is a very tentative and fluid list that will be ammended and added to. You can look at this on page 5 of the RFP document attached below. For more information about PDOT's "red bike" effort, you can read the following news articles: The Oregonian article on the new bike program in Paris. The New York Times article, also on the Paris Velo-v program. And for more on the Velo-v bike rentals program in Lyon, you can read here. Posted below is the actual RFP, in case you or someone you know might be interested in applying to design and administer the program. The deadline for response is September 17. (NOTE: Now extended until October. For more information, visit link below. Hard copy of RFP removed from website, as you must sign up online to apply.)  TO APPLY PLEASE LOG ON TO THE CITY OF PORTLAND WEBSITE, HERE. (http://cityofportland.ebidsystems.com/public/solicitationDetail.asp?Solicitation=106720)
Posted Tue, 07/31/2007 - 2:07pm.
What about helmets?Submitted by Kurt Kemmerer on Thu, 08/02/2007 - 5:49am.
I love this idea, but I have a few concerns. Here is one. Will people be required to possess their own bike helmets in order to ride the Red Bikes. If not, I worry that the program may be encouraging unsafe riding habits. Too many Portlanders ride sans helmet already. This is a city of hills, and cyclists must ride with automobile traffic. This is not a Eurpoean city with truly separate bicycle avenues. Until that changes, helmets should be encouraged in every possible way. How can this program do this? » reply
HelmetsSubmitted by Cora Potter on Thu, 08/02/2007 - 7:32am.
Kurt, In the RFP it specifies that the contractor must make bicycle helmets available for the under 16 crowd. So, I imagine anyone would be able to "rent" the helmets as well. I'm not a big helmet fan, but that's because I tend to stick to the bicycle only routes like the springwater trail and, I have big hair. But, I do agree that helmets are important. I did not see a specification for the step-through bicycle style in the RFP, though. Being a lady, who likes to wear dresses, and has a "compromised" leg, step through bikes are a bit of a necessity for me. » reply
NO Taxpayer SubsidiesSubmitted by Terry Parker on Thu, 08/02/2007 - 3:08pm.
If this business venture project moves forward, it needs to be done under the following auspices and guidelines: 1. City of Portland public and/or taxpayer dollars must NOT be used to subsidize the contractor or any part of the rental program. 2. The contractor must be required to pay fees for any kiosks located on public sidewalks or in public places similar and equal to what food carts and/or any other street vendor pay for the privilege doing business in Portland and on public property. Furthermore, allowing FlexCar the special privilege of having reserved parking places on city streets that is not given to individual citizens or other rental car companies - a direct violation of the special privileges and immunities intent and clause in the Oregon Constitution - needs to be revoked with the vehicles moved to private properties. » reply
A great way to get more folks onto bicycles!Submitted by Frank on Fri, 08/03/2007 - 6:58am.
This is a great progam, PLEASE spend my tax dollars on programs like this. I'm serious. This program will entice more folks to hop on a bike for short trips around town, possibly inspiring them to bike more frequently and thus alleviating traffic congestion and pollution. Portland is a very bike friendly town, but more needs to be done to make it safer, and to encourage more people to choose this greener/healthier mode of transportation. Thanks for this wonderful program. » reply
Wow!Submitted by John Boyd on Fri, 08/03/2007 - 9:34am.
This is very big exciting news! Add me to the list of Portlanders willing to pay higher taxes for livability programs like this. There are more than enough streets in town be safely ridden without crash helmets and hills to make this work well. Thanks, Sam. » reply
Ugh. 2 concerns (withSubmitted by Paul on Fri, 08/03/2007 - 9:49am.
Ugh. 2 concerns (with several subparts): 1. Here comes a new utopian concept to mobilize urban Portland. That while the city has yet to address: the fact that none of the buslines seem to move quickly from North/ South in the SE; whole neighborhoods in Lents do not have paved streets; the cost of Burnside Bridgehead has yet to finish any significant changes ie. a burnside couplet; Portland cyclists for the most part are undereducated on the methods of riding with traffic and rarely signal, wear helmets, ride against traffic, and zoom in and out of lanes... so lets have more fair weather cyclists on the road. 2. When one picks up these bikes, where will they park them? Right now the city has an inconsistent amount of bike racks. On belmont there is a bike haven for 20+ bikes... but even in parts of downtown the bike racks are few and far between. Apparently cyclists (like me) are only expected to go to coffee shops and new seasons but never to work, the gym, or to get a pedicure. There are so many long lasting issues facing this city. Lets clean it up before we grow any further. Oh, and stop allowing apartment buildings to convert to condos. The monthly price for a one bedroom has gone up 60% in some areas in less than 5 years. I think that alone requires a call to action. » reply
Ride'm cowboy!Submitted by Tyler on Fri, 08/03/2007 - 11:11am.
I am really excited to see this positive step being implemented here in Portland. I hope it spurs even more bike infrastructure and more folks out of their cars and on 2 wheels! Great idea!!! » reply
kudosSubmitted by joy on Fri, 08/03/2007 - 12:42pm.
Thank you having the vision to pursue such an exciting, progressive idea! Count me in with those who would love to see our taxes subsidize this program. » reply
Red Bike PlanSubmitted by Todd Boulanger/ Bikestation on Sat, 08/04/2007 - 1:20am.
In visiting two of the current cities (Lyon and Brussels) with bike sharing in use last fall, we (Bikestation) found the bikes to be in frequent use by many locals and to be very decent city bikes (better than the Copenhagen bikes but not as good as the Call a Bikes in Berlin). The key to locating these bike pods will be to follow the successful implimentation practices of Europe (and now here) of not crowding the already limited sidewalk space but to place them within the parking lane. 1 car space should be able to fit about 5 bikes plus the kiosk. The use would be the same, so there should not be too much proceedural trouble in converting a car parking space to a bike parking space in street...as long as the quantity of parking spaces per block face increases overall. Perhaps these redbikepods can be combined with a free bike rack (for general bike parking) and a transit superstop on those lines where bike riders are unable to find an open bus rack to use. The other key is to make sure that the software and user system builds rewards in place the ability to offer riders a rebate or prize for returning a bike to a pod location needing bikes (similar to the system once used by the Amsterdam Depo Fiets/ 'White Bike2' in the 1990s). Much of the costs of the Lyon system are due to the need to shuttle bikes from low to high demand pods...U-Haul has the same problem with its rental trucks/ trailers. I do not think the JC Decaux Cyclocity system offers this feature yet. Perhaps the Portland Platinum Bike Plan will add a new chapter: the 'White Bike Plan' Chapter for shared bikes - providing bikes for those who do not own a working bike (50%+ of the population?). » reply
Red Bike BorrowingSubmitted by Bill Burton on Thu, 09/06/2007 - 9:55am.
This year in Paris I filmed bicycle kiosk and release rack construction before the initial fleet was released (10,000 public bikes in Paris!). The construction costs are significant, which involve tearing up the street, installing underground communications and power utilities, pouring concrete around rack and kiosk bases, installing the racks and kiosk, and finishing treatments. I noticed the rate of bike parking per car parking space is 7 to 1, and that is with smaller French car parking spaces. The usual installation was 21 bikes and a kiosk, within three car parking spaces. The use of this space can offset the congestion generated by 21 cars! Together with the quick short term rental, I believe the city will save costs and encourage bike use if more than 500 bikes are made available, and loaned out for a longer period of time. The bike use could be for a week or longer, like borrowing a library book, costing only a small deposit. In San Francisco the estimate of bikes required to meet the whole demand was 5000. In Arcata California, there has been 3000 public bikes released over 3 years, meeting much of a student population demand, and offsetting the construction of a $10 million dollar parking garage. The costs of the bicycles are small compared to the cost of redistributing bikes and maintaining racks. So more bikes, with longer term use, and return to the place of origin saves labor money, and produces more bike miles covered. The bottom line is bike use is growing, in Europe and here, and the transportation is created by design. » reply
Count me inSubmitted by L. Moldovanyi on Tue, 08/14/2007 - 4:47pm.
I support this initiative and have no problem with my tax dollars subsidizing it. I'd love to be involved with grantwriting for this project, as well. Makes me proud to be a Portlander. » reply
A plan that I ABSOLUTELYSubmitted by A. Abdel-Gawad on Fri, 10/05/2007 - 2:38pm.
A plan that I ABSOLUTELY endorse. The best location would be close to the Max and Street car stops. I admit my selfish angle of use - if I input a route into trimet.org, and it recommends Max and/or Street Car AND then a bus route - I would then utilize the bike versus the bus. I don't want to deal with bicycle ownership (i.e., taking it on the Max, etc) - I want to enjoy the convenience when I need a bike (much like a car - with Flexcar). I definitely support this, and I will definitely utilize it. » reply
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Exciting news
Sam, this is extraordinarily exciting news! If you can pull this off, I don't think I will be exaggerating to say that you will go down in the storied history of this city as one of Portland's great visionaries.