Bike rental program to expand
By Hu Min |
November 26, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MINHANG'S free bicycle rental program has been so successful that an additional 7,000 two-wheelers will be added next year, and administration of the bikes will be improved for greater efficiency.
To date, the district has about 19,100 bikes in the program. The government said it will spend 25.8 million yuan (US$3.9 million) to buy more bicycles and improve maintenance and management of the fleet. The number of rental locations where bikes can be picked up or dropped off will also increase.
Minhang will also start selling advertising on the bikes, estimating revenue of 2.65 million yuan a year, according to a budget report submitted by the district's construction and transport committee.
The free bicycle rental program began in 2009 as a government effort to encourage a greener lifestyle. The bright orange two-wheelers have become a popular form of transport, especially as increased car traffic jams the roadways.
In a sense, the program is trying to encourage Chinese to rediscover their roots as a nation that popularized the bicycle as a cheap, pollution-free way to travel.
"I find it is very convenient and also good for the health," said Li Yi, a newspaper reporter who rides a bicycle from the bus station to her home or to her work place.
Each rental bicycle, on average, is used four times a day, according to the construction and transport committee. Based on that figure, about 80,000 residents are participating in the program every day. That is a daily savings of 80,000 yuan if every biker saves 1 yuan in bus fare, and an annual reduction of 2,670 tons of diesel fuel and 12,800 tons of carbon emissions.
The only thing required is a bicycle card, which is called a "rider credits card." Residents may obtain the free cards by showing their identification card, residence booklet or residence permit to prove they live in Minhang.
Some problems
If riders return their bikes within prescribed periods, points are added to the card. If they fail to return bikes on time, points are deducted. A card with zero credits can no longer be used.
However, the program also has its problems. The bicycles sometimes break down, and bicycle cards are often lost, stolen or damaged.
There is also the problem of demand exceeding supply. More than 210,000 bike cards have been issued, almost 11 times the number of bicycles available. The gap has forced authorities to suspend the issue of new cards temporarily.
"Rental stations cover almost the whole district, but it is a common problem to find no bikes available at some stations during peak use hours," said Qian Tianxin, a delegate to the Minhang Committee of the Shanghai People's Congress.
Some people even lock rental bikes with their own locks to ensure they can ride them to work, making it their "own property" and causing inefficient use of the bikes, he added.
Li, the reporter, lives on Luojin Road in the Gumei area and works in the Xinzhuang area. There is a free rental station near her home. She likes to ride a bike to the bus station of the Minhang No. 12 in the morning peak hour.
"Sometimes, there is no bike available, and sometimes, there are one or two, but they are broken down," Li said.
Qian agreed that management of the program needs improvement.
The Minhang construction and transport committee is considering charging card applicants deposit fees or slapping fines on those who fail to return bikes on time, according to a committee official who declined to be identified.
The allowable rental time has already been reduced to one hour from two in order to keep more bikes in circulation.
Minhang has a population of about 2.42 million. That means less than 5 percent of residents benefit from the program. Some people suggest the government provide more free parking lots and repair spots to encourage residents to use their own bikes instead of expanding the rental program.
To date, the district has about 19,100 bikes in the program. The government said it will spend 25.8 million yuan (US$3.9 million) to buy more bicycles and improve maintenance and management of the fleet. The number of rental locations where bikes can be picked up or dropped off will also increase.
Minhang will also start selling advertising on the bikes, estimating revenue of 2.65 million yuan a year, according to a budget report submitted by the district's construction and transport committee.
The free bicycle rental program began in 2009 as a government effort to encourage a greener lifestyle. The bright orange two-wheelers have become a popular form of transport, especially as increased car traffic jams the roadways.
In a sense, the program is trying to encourage Chinese to rediscover their roots as a nation that popularized the bicycle as a cheap, pollution-free way to travel.
"I find it is very convenient and also good for the health," said Li Yi, a newspaper reporter who rides a bicycle from the bus station to her home or to her work place.
Each rental bicycle, on average, is used four times a day, according to the construction and transport committee. Based on that figure, about 80,000 residents are participating in the program every day. That is a daily savings of 80,000 yuan if every biker saves 1 yuan in bus fare, and an annual reduction of 2,670 tons of diesel fuel and 12,800 tons of carbon emissions.
The only thing required is a bicycle card, which is called a "rider credits card." Residents may obtain the free cards by showing their identification card, residence booklet or residence permit to prove they live in Minhang.
Some problems
If riders return their bikes within prescribed periods, points are added to the card. If they fail to return bikes on time, points are deducted. A card with zero credits can no longer be used.
However, the program also has its problems. The bicycles sometimes break down, and bicycle cards are often lost, stolen or damaged.
There is also the problem of demand exceeding supply. More than 210,000 bike cards have been issued, almost 11 times the number of bicycles available. The gap has forced authorities to suspend the issue of new cards temporarily.
"Rental stations cover almost the whole district, but it is a common problem to find no bikes available at some stations during peak use hours," said Qian Tianxin, a delegate to the Minhang Committee of the Shanghai People's Congress.
Some people even lock rental bikes with their own locks to ensure they can ride them to work, making it their "own property" and causing inefficient use of the bikes, he added.
Li, the reporter, lives on Luojin Road in the Gumei area and works in the Xinzhuang area. There is a free rental station near her home. She likes to ride a bike to the bus station of the Minhang No. 12 in the morning peak hour.
"Sometimes, there is no bike available, and sometimes, there are one or two, but they are broken down," Li said.
Qian agreed that management of the program needs improvement.
The Minhang construction and transport committee is considering charging card applicants deposit fees or slapping fines on those who fail to return bikes on time, according to a committee official who declined to be identified.
The allowable rental time has already been reduced to one hour from two in order to keep more bikes in circulation.
Minhang has a population of about 2.42 million. That means less than 5 percent of residents benefit from the program. Some people suggest the government provide more free parking lots and repair spots to encourage residents to use their own bikes instead of expanding the rental program.
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