A human on a bike is extremely efficient and green as can be. The new PBS riding program is a scalable operation that will make this simple form of transportation available to that hard to reach portion of our society (the lazy!). Some simple hindrances to bike commuting for the average Joe are availability, money (for a bike), storage, maintenance, and the volition to get the gear and go. PBS (Public Bike System) developed by world-renowned industrial designer Michel Dallaire is already in operation in Montreal and allows you to swipe your credit card and roll out! The entire system is designed to appeal to the public, take a beating, run on solar power, and make bike sharing a reality.
The bikes themselves feature clean lines and a sleek look that in no way compromises their sturdiness and safety. Design elements are carried over to the technical platforms, bike docks and pay stations. All with the intention making the PBS an enhancement to the urban landscape, not an impediment to enjoying it.
The modular design of the bike docking stations allows them to be quickly set up, transported, arrange, or dismantled to meet the needs of the location (this means adaptability to many urban landscapes). It also means less infrastructered and building is required to implement a station. The PBS is truly a bike share for the modern city with features that leave no excuse for not biking. Users can:
- Consult Website to find station nearest them and their destination
- Find out in real time number of bikes and parking spots currently available at any station
- Rent bike at any station of their choosing
- Return bike to any station of their choosing
- Choose bike they wish to rent – not have one assigned by system
- Rent bike for any length of time
- Pay for rental in various forms: credit card, debit card, member card
- Notify system at bike dock of any damaged or defective bike and choose another quickly and easily
Since the stations are wireless they are indeed plug ‘n’ play with no required wiring, cables, or electrical work necessary. The bikes have important and delicate components and controls fully incased to protect against damage and weather. Their appearance is attractive and their construction is of light and strong aluminum with dimensions and angles suitable for an array of rider body types, low center of gravity for easy handling, and full times lighting and reflectors for safety. To pay you can stuff some cash in the docking station, swipe your favorite credit card, or use your membership card.
is this going on some where or is this still in the idea stage?
Why didn’t OBAMA think of this? What a great idea everyone has to ride a bike instead of buying foreign fuel.
Why couldn’t my brain thought of this?
Gifted Liver Transplant August 30 2008
@SI
“PBS (Public Bike System) developed by world-renowned industrial designer Michel Dallaire is already in operation in Montreal and allows you to swipe your credit card and roll out! “
They use this system in Paris, also.
I would miss gears on bikes like that… I love going out for a ride in a park and going really fast using gears
Let’s hope they can keep this ecommunism contained north of the border. Would hate to think of real Americans having to exert so much energy just to move around the city, especially as the climate gets warmer.
Must put a lot of bike thieves out of work though.
A human on a bike is extremely efficient and green as can be. The new PBS riding program is a scalable operation that will make this simple form of transportation available to that hard to reach portion of our society (the lazy!).
This has been running in Barcelona for about a year or two now. It’s called “Bicing”.
I LOVE THE IDEA. I ride all the time and build bikes but this would be great for friends without bikes and when on vacation and you don’t bring your bike….
From my experience, the biggest reason keeping people from riding bikes for transporatation is safety hazards. What really needs to happen to get more people on bikes is for municipalities to create safer road conditions (i.e. clear bike lanes) for cyclists. I’ve been commuting by bike to work for more than a year now, and many of my co-workers seem I’m a little crazy for doing so. My mom constantly worries about me, and, in fact, I often question the decision myself.
Kelly,
You are right about that. In some cities it’s a downright warzone on the road. What city do you live in?
It seems like cities and towns are becoming more cognizant of cyclists and becoming more bike friendly. For a list of bike friendly cities check out: http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/communities/
I wish we have this system in the Maldives. It would be so economical and a green concept, especially trying to become carbon free.
I like to see people on the top of the hierarchy of the Maldives to be the models and start using this green concept and become role models for the rest of the world. Together we can make a difference.
Love the idea of PBS Public Bike System Plug ‘n’ Play Swipe ‘n’ Ride.It’s really cool. I think we should have this system adapted in the Maldives, as for the young generation to start using more bikes rather than going for huge and trendy cars,which is not feasable to our tiny coral islands.Talking in general I believe that people who uses bikes are slowly fading away in our country,which is really sad to see.This system will help people to start using bikes and less damaging our environment.Hope someone will come up with this idea soon……
Well said Aiben, I totally agree with you….Together we can make a difference…..