Melbourne Bike Share

Melbourne Bike Share
Info
Locale Melbourne, Australia
Transit type Bicycle sharing system
Number of stations 51
Operation
Began operation 2010
Operator(s) Alta Bicycle Share
Number of vehicles 600

Melbourne Bike Share is a bicycle sharing system that serves the central business district of Melbourne, Australia. The stations and bicycles are owned by the government and operated in a public-private partnership with Alta Bicycle Share. Launched in 2010, the network utilizes a system designed by Montreal-based Bixi with 600 bicycles operating from 51 stations.[1] Melbourne Bike Share is one of two such systems in Australia.

Melbourne Bike Share has experienced low ridership in comparison to other bicycle sharing networks in operation around the world. As of May 2011, users made about 13,000 trips each month, short of the goal of 25,000 trips per month.[2] Observers have noted that local law requires all cyclists to wear helmets, which suppresses the number of people who can regularly use the system. Melbourne is the only city in the world with a bicycle sharing network that has a mandatory helmet law.[3] In November 2010, the Victoria state government began offering helmet rentals at selected stations in an attempt to increase both ridership and helmet usage.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "FAQ". Melbourne Bike Share. http://www.melbournebikeshare.com.au/faq. Retrieved 30 December 2011. 
  2. ^ Preiss, Benjamin (May 31, 2011). "Bike share scheme disappointing". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/bike-share-scheme-disappointing-20110531-1fdto.html. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  3. ^ Lucas, Clay (July 23, 2010). "Helmet law makes nonsense of bike hire scheme". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/helmet-law-makes-nonsense-of-bike-hire-scheme-20100722-10my2.html. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  4. ^ Ripplinger, Sarah (November 22, 2010). "Why Bike Share is Failing in Melbourne". Momentum Magazine. http://momentumplanet.com/videos/why-bike-share-is-failing-in-melbourne. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 

External links

Bixi Systems