Vélomagg'

Vélomagg' is a bike sharing scheme in Montpellier, France launched in June 2007, engineered by Smoove. This community bicycle program comprises 750 bicycles and 59 stations for short and long term renting, optionally coupled with tramway, bus and car sharing services[1][2]. Individual bicycles can park in secured parking lots linked to the system, equipped with electrical public pumps. The bicycles are secured by mechanical keys distributed by automatic dispensers. The system is reliable and appreciated[3][4], the bicycles are relatively cheap, sturdy and light[5][6]. Contrary to most other such programs, it is not linked to an advertising deal[7].

References

  1. ^ European Conference on Mobility Management London 2008 Vélomagg' address 12:30 05/06/2008
  2. ^ L'internaute magazine «150 bikes by the beach».
  3. ^ Midi Libre (a major daily newspaper in the South of France): «In 2008, 76 000 clients and 800 000 travels have been registered in Montpellier. A success, and few vandalism compared to the Velib in Paris.»
  4. ^ Tous à Vélo AFP 19/10/2007: «Paris, Orléans and Montpellier receive the "Bicycle Trophy 2007" for their achievement in Bike Sharing programs».
  5. ^ Harmonie Montpellier Agglomération n° 255 Oct 2008; Harmonie n° 251 Mai 2008: «The average annual cost of a Vélomagg' is around 700€ to be compared with 2000-3000€ in average for other similar systems.»
  6. ^ Montpellier journal «The bicycle weights 5kg less than the Parisian Vélib'» «You can cycle 12h for 0,25€.»
  7. ^ CityRyde: «There are several vendors with bike share programs that are not based primarily on advertising revenue, including CityByke, Public Bike Systems, B-cycle, and Smoove amongst others.»

External links