I live in Fort Collins, Colorado, and one of my very favorite things about living here is how bike-friendly the city is and just how easy it is to get around. Before moving here, I spent several years living in a suburb of Atlanta that had a lot of traffic and no sidewalks or bike lanes, and I never felt that I or my kids were safe walking or riding our bikes, so it was a relief and a joy to move somewhere that prioritizes safe infrastructure for pedestrians.
When thinking about what programs could benefit my community, my thoughts naturally went to bike services. I love that there are already so many city programs and amenitites for cycling and bike commuting, but I feel there is a gap in accessibility. While many kids and adults use bicycles to get to school and work and for recreation, there are a lot of barriers for families and individuals who cannot afford the initial investment or ongoing maintenance required to have a bike.
To overcome these barriers, my plan – Ride FoCo – implements bike services and programs, including bike lending, in public libraries in Fort Collins:
Action Brief (Full Slides) by Catherine Kemeny Gambrell
Catherine,
This is a really great idea! I’ve noticed several cities and universities implementing programs such as this. Around my own town we have bike services for the city and also the campus, but like you mentioned, there is an accessibility issue – because they charge $30 for a rental. It would be more beneficial if it were more accessible for all and citizens could just simply “check out” a bike and return it.
Yes, I think rental charges can be prohibitive for so many. I know at the universities around here, there are a lot of free options for students, but not for community members in general. I don’t know how feasible a program like this would be long-term, but I think with the right partnerships (with community nonprofits), it could work!