Commuting - BICEBERG, an automatic underground bicycle parking

biceberg is an automatic underground bike park. It collects bikes from, and returns them to street level. It can also be used to store accessories such as a helmet or backpack.

The user carries out the operations using a microchip card with a secret personal code, in a process as straightforward as using cashpoints.

The time given for access to each parking place is 30 seconds, both for storage and retrieval.

biceberg parks can hold 23, 46, 69 or 92 bikes.

biceberg offers: 100% guarantee against robbery of the bicycle and other equipment, speed, and ease of use.

Source: http://www.biceberg.es/INGLES/m_producto.htm

Promotional video (in spanish): 09 biceberg.mpg (http://www.biceberg.es/imagenes/07%20biblio/09%20biceberg.mpg) (5.3 MB).

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What do you think about it? Is it a good idea? Well, I don't expect to see something like that in my town in the near future. Actually, it is really hard to find an ordinary bike rack now, let alone a "biciberg".

According to the site, "at present there are several bicebergs already installed in Spain, and expansion into the rest of Europe will begin shortly". Are there any spaniards or europeans here who have already used one?

Well, I imagine it runs on electrical power. And it would be a drag to be unable to get to your bike in the event of a blackout.

DanO

If well designed, a couple of marine deep cycle batteries should be more than enough to keep it going for 24 hours in "take-out-only" mode where it wouldn't let you check in a bike during a power failure.

Well, I imagine it runs on electrical power. And it would be a drag to be unable to get to your bike in the event of a blackout.

DanO

How often do you experience electrical blackouts in Glendale?

Kind of a neat idea, but seems overly complicated. Reminds me of those bike parking trees.

****ing genious! Really, make it a requirement to have something like that at parking ramps. Charge a buck, even. Rail/transit stations, large office buildings, etc.

How often do you experience electrical blackouts in Glendale?

About as often as they experience blackouts in Manhattan. It's not how often it might happen, but how inconvenient, or even catasrophic, it would be if and or when it did happen. Wouldn't it be ironic to see the bicycle's power independent nature be neutralized by having it suddenly rendered useless by a power outage? And besides; although the power grid might seem to be fine these days in California, it wasn't that long ago we had to endure rolling blackouts. What reassurance do we really have that those days won't return.

DanO

I think it's a great idea. Cheap bike parking, resistant (if not invulnerable) to theft, would solve one of the biggest problems that face people who want to use their bikes for errands. You can't take it in the store with you, you can't just lean it against the wall outside because someone will take it, and -- let's face it -- no bike lock made today is really, truly adequate. Even if your ultimate locking strategy (which likely takes ten minutes to implement) protects the frame and wheels, you're still vulnerable to losing your seat, seat post, computer, lights, or anything else you've mounted to it.

If such secure bike parking areas were available throughout urban areas, bike transportation would suddenly become a lot more attractive to a lot more people. I'm all for it.

You're worried about not being able to get your bike out in the event of a blackout? Give me a break! Can you even think of a more ridiculous, extreme argument? That's like saying we shouldn't ever use electric trains, because the power might go out. Or we shouldn't drive automobiles because the gas might run out... er, wait...

- Warren

Well, I imagine it runs on electrical power. And it would be a drag to be unable to get to your bike in the event of a blackout.

UPS: The park has a UPS (uninterruptible power supply), which turns on automatically and allows the user to finish the operation in a normal and controlled way in case of mains power supply failure.

Source: 02 operation and management.pdf (http://www.biceberg.es/imagenes/07%20biblio/english/02%20operation%20and%20management.pdf) (599 KB).

:)

Looks like bicycle roulette. In goes your Colnago. Out comes a Huffy.

I confess. This thing looks really cool. Having sai that, I don't think I'd ever use one. Call me a spoil-sport, but I feel that this is the sort of thing that we see more and more everyday. People are increasingly looking to technology to solve their problems. We see it in everything from hybrid cars to kitchen gadgets. Yes, it's all nifty, shiny, and cool, but it all requires increased energy supplies. One of the main reasons I bike for transportation is that it requires no more energy than what I put into it. Sure, there are energy requirements in the manufacture of the bike and various parts it uses, but these requirements are miniscule compared to the alternatives offered by fossil-fueled transportation. Heck, I don't even ride the train that much anymore. Personally, I have found that the simpler things work best. Give me something more like Bikestation in Seattle (http://www.bikestation.org/). That would truely make me happy. Oh yeah, that AND 10 million dollars ;-)

Looks like bicycle roulette. In goes your Colnago. Out comes a Huffy.
:roflmao:
That's why I love Bike Forums so much. Thank you for making me laugh out loud, sir! :beer:

I confess. This thing looks really cool. Having sai that, I don't think I'd ever use one. Call me a spoil-sport, but I feel that this is the sort of thing that we see more and more everyday. People are increasingly looking to technology to solve their problems. We see it in everything from hybrid cars to kitchen gadgets. Yes, it's all nifty, shiny, and cool, but it all requires increased energy supplies. One of the main reasons I bike for transportation is that it requires no more energy than what I put into it. Sure, there are energy requirements in the manufacture of the bike and various parts it uses, but these requirements are miniscule compared to the alternatives offered by fossil-fueled transportation. Heck, I don't even ride the train that much anymore. Personally, I have found that the simpler things work best. Give me something more like Bikestation in Seattle (http://www.bikestation.org/). That would truely make me happy. Oh yeah, that AND 10 million dollars ;-)
I understand you and agree with you to a point. Life has become complicated lately. There are lots of things created to improve someone's life. Take cell phones. They're a great tool... but only if you need one! And that's the problem: many people think they need one even when they don't. Anyway, we are free to choose, despite the mistakes.

On the other hand, if something like a "biceberg" helps to increase the number of cyclists on the streets, I think it is a valid alternative. By now, all I can say is that it's worth a trip to Spain. :)

The link you provided is broken. You put the ")" in the wrong place. This is a very interesting project. Thank you for sharing it.

You're worried about not being able to get your bike out in the event of a blackout? Give me a break! Can you even think of a more ridiculous, extreme argument? That's like saying we shouldn't ever use electric trains, because the power might go out. Or we shouldn't drive automobiles because the gas might run out... er, wait...


I disagree. Dan0 makes a legitmate point. And he didn't say "shouldn't ever" or that it was a bad product, but simply that it "would be a drag" if you couldn't get your bike out in the event of a power failure, which is indisputably true.

There are stories of post-flood New Orleans residents using bikes to flee the scene. And it would have sucked (ie: been a drag) if they couldn't access their bikes.

Just because the occurence is unlikely, doesn't mean it's not a valid concern. The point is good and should be taken into consideration for a product like this - and it may well have been. A good development team will have found a LOT more snags than that.

And there is definitely something to be said for the independence of a bike which relies solely on human power, whether it's in everyday use or in emergencies. For many, that's what bikes are all about.

The Biceberg is a neat idea.

Bikestation Berkeley is located on the subterranean concourse level. A 500-square foot steel cage, the facility has an extremely high density of bicycle parking that can accommodate 77 bicycles; however, over 100 bicycles have been stored at the facility at one time. The bikestation is now closed weekends and holidays. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed daily for employee breaks between 9:30 am-9:45 am & 3:45 pm-4 pm.



Biceberg needs a watertight underground space, cylindrical in shape with an interior diameter of 7.5m. The interior height needed depends on the model: 92 bikes - 5.25 m. 7.5 m circle is 430 square feet, 17 feet deep. 5500W 220V power supply with sump pump - doesn't mention what the lift itself uses and how much it uses in operation - so put solar panels on the roof and make it self sufficient.

I get to work at 5:30am so I guess bikestation is useless to me. It would be great for theaters to have this - a secure place so your bike is still there when you finish the movie - and it takes up a lot less room than the normal bike lockers.

Bombs. What's to stop somebody from constantly packing explosives in each cubicle, and then detonating the entire structure?

I think that this is pretty neat, and it needn't be limited to underground. There shouldn't be any reason why the system can't be built up, instead of down. One possibility I see is for the inside of buildings. One of these would be great to incorporate into the design of an office or apartment building, or even retrofit into an existing one. Inside of a building, its height wouldn't really be noticed, but would offer a great alternative to bike thievery if the cycles were left outside. It would also strike a nice balance between a variety of concerns for the building management:

-advocacy for residents and visitors who bike to the building.

-keeping the building clean; bikes go in the storage unit, not up the stairs, not in the elevators, not to your office/apartment. This isn't just limited to building residents. Visitors to a person's apartment or bike messengers in a city can safely stow their cycles without having to leave them outside, and without cluttering up any of the lobby space. Actually, the building could have the thing installed so that it opens to the street outside. The bikes wouldn't even have to come into the lobby in order to get locked up. Ideally, there would be some sort of rain-cover/veranda for the bike door, or it could be built up like an ATM lobby.

-liability for property damage (to the bikes) except for a catastrophic failure of the system (like, the building collapsed or the bice-berg exploded). You store the bike yourself, retrieve it yourself. No one else has access to it, so the building isn't responsible for any dings, scratches or breakage of your bike.

-Payroll. The system doesn't require an operator, and doesn't require that existing building personnel divide their attention between "parking/retrieving/quarding bikes" in order to allow them into the building. Its expenses would be limited to purchase, installation, maintenance and electricity. Training would also probably be minimal, limited to "Call this number if it breaks" or "post up this instruction sheet for the users".

-If incorporated into a building, the system could also potentially continue to operate during a power emergency....if the building has a backup power source.

-Cost for the system could potentially be re-couped from various sources. Building users could be charged for bike parking if they use the system. Costs could potentially be offset by tax breaks for "green initiatives" from the city or state government or transportation authority, or even from employee health plans. My health plan includes a discount/copayment if I join a gym; might they also be willing to pay/co-pay my $10-$20 bicycle parking fees at my office?

TransAlt is trying to get a measure passed in NYC to allow bikes be brought into buildings. NYC's high theft rate and overall lack of secure parking for bikes is apparently the biggest reason why many people don't bike to work, who otherwise would. They should seriously get in touch with Bice-Berg and see about how hard and expensive it'd be for a building to install one of their units.

Bombs. What's to stop somebody from constantly packing explosives in each cubicle, and then detonating the entire structure?

Very little, if the bomber is determined and willing to sacrifice their own life. However, cameras installed at these locations like at ATM's would probably make them a target of lesser opportunity.

Also, for the underground versions of these things, I would question how much a bomber would want to explode these things instead of a large building. While the above-ground-shed portion of this thing could definitely cause damage if/when it exploded, most of the structure is underground. Where's the terroristic appeal in using all your bombs to make a crater in the ground?

Where's the terroristic appeal in using all your bombs to make a crater in the ground?
To show off? ;)

I just want to know what happens when the motor that retrives your bike breaks.

To show off? ;)

I just want to know what happens when the motor that retrives your bike breaks.

I wonder the same thing, but I took a look at the construction photos for these things. They look pretty beefy, I imagine (though I'm no engineer) that they'd be about as reliable as an elevator and would require service contracts like elevators do. I know that elevators sometimes fail, but I've never been stuck in one.

Still, as someone pointed out earlier, it would kind of suck to have a fully-functional bike locked up and unavailable due to power outage, mechanical failure, whatever. Myself, if I were in a major city, I'd feel more secure about my bike's availability to me from one of those things, than from an outdoor bike rack or street sign.

There should be a backup power solution: an "exercise bike" style station where you could sit and pedal your bike in and out. :D

Myself, if I were in a major city, I'd feel more secure about my bike's availability to me from one of those things, than from an outdoor bike rack or street sign.

That's a good point. Let's do a risks analysis here: What's more likely - your bike getting stolen (or disabled in some way - vandalism, theft of components, etc.) - or this thing breaking down?

Hello!!, I think it's a great and brilliant 0idea.
We have recently visited Spain and I have observed and used your
automated bicycle parks. They are fantastic and a great solution to
the problem of security and protection for bicycles, also introducing
the advantage of a checkroom or left-luggage locker. Bicycles are now
completely safe, giving commodity that users demand for development of
bicycle as a urban way of transport.
I would like to point out that with the application of the system
there has been a substantial increase in number of users, an increase
in the social and generational profile of the users and an improvement
in the quality of the bicycles in use, with a return to cycling by
former bicycle users.

Best regards,

Diban Bikerson

PD.If you want, I can send (attaching) documentation in the form of a
pdf file which gives an overall idea of operation and applications, as
well as a document on amortization that includes some of the
experiences obtained to date.

We have recently visited Spain and I have observed and used your automated bicycle parks.
Really? Good to hear it. So, tell us something more about biceberg. How much does it cost to store a bike in it? How long a bike can be stored there? What else can you say about the system? Is it fast indeed? Thanks!

very cool - and they're in public use too

Its a fantastic idea. BTW They have something similar for cars too. I beleive there is an automated parking garage in New Jersey and there is one planned in Manhattan. A great alternative to handing your car keys to an attendant.

"Bombs. What's to stop somebody from constantly packing explosives in each cubicle, and then detonating the entire structure?"

So I suppose from now on, all civil structures should be designed to be bomb-proof? Otherwise, what's to stop somebody from packing explosives in every car/building/bikerack/airplane/computer/coffee mug and detonating the entire world?

Seriously, bombs could pretty much destroy anything in a city. Current bike racks include no bomb protection, believe it or not. Bombs aren't an every day hazard though and don't deserve significant design attention for something like a bike storage device. A military vehicle, yes, civilian bike storage, no. There aren't that many bombers running around these days.

"Bombs. What's to stop somebody from constantly packing explosives in each cubicle, and then detonating the entire structure?"

So I suppose from now on, all civil structures should be designed to be bomb-proof? Otherwise, what's to stop somebody from packing explosives in every car/building/bikerack/airplane/computer/coffee mug and detonating the entire world?

Seriously, bombs could pretty much destroy anything in a city. Current bike racks include no bomb protection, believe it or not. Bombs aren't an every day hazard though and don't deserve significant design attention for something like a bike storage device. A military vehicle, yes, civilian bike storage, no. There aren't that many bombers running around these days.

I don't know, don't cagers hate us because of our bicycles. Putting this many bikes together in one place may be too much for some sick bastard to resist.

see that
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAr64tk8i-E&eurl=

Attach Files. Amortización document

From Index:

How did this design improve life?:
Biceberg encourages the use of bicycles by endorsing a parking area which provides the required convenience for bicycle users, ensuring the development of bicycles as an environmentally friendly means of transport which contributes to improving the quality of life in our cities.
The lockers are an added value, which are a means of storing any belongings we may be carrying with us. Lockers contribute to increased road security for cyclists as riding with a helmet, reflective gear or any other security accessory is not an inconvenient providing you have a safe place to keep them upon arrival.
It encourages the development of electrical bicycles, providing a safe storage area and an opportunity to recharge.

It is a means of democratizing mobility, providing greater autonomy and accessibility to all services for young people as well as the elderly
Name of Designer(s):
Jaime Palacios Baena
Designers professional status:
Professional
Status of realization:
Realized
Kind of design:
Tangible
Produced by:
ma-SISTEMAS, s.l.
Year of production, realization or publishing:
1999
Designed in country:
Spain
Used on continents:
Entire World
Short description of design:
Biceberg is an underground and intelligent automatic parking area for bicycles which takes in and returns bicycles at street level and which also provides a locker area for backpacks, helmets and other accessories.

Biceberg offers users 100% guarantee against theft of bicycles and accessories, rapid access and total convenience of use.

Biceberg parking areas have a capacity for 23, 46, 69 or 92 bicycles.
Functionallity and use of design:
Users park or collect their bicycle by means of a chip card following a process which is as simple as using a cash dispenser.

The parking area has been designed according to ergonomic criteria like a “friendly machine” which provides intuitive operational use, didactic signs and optimal access to your bicycle.
Drawbacks of life improvement:

Research and need:
Mobility represents one of the main problems from an economic, social and ecological standpoint.

The severity of such problems has led to a new sustainable mobility policy based on greater ecomobility, public transport, transport on foot, by bicycle, in shared cars, as well as on reduced traffic of private vehicles.

The promotion of bicycles fits within a broad social movement advocating the right to chose one’s own means of transport as well as the return to a better quality of life for citizens by recovering areas for pedestrians and cyclists.

Studies undertaken by mobility commissions have established that one of the primary deterrents for using a bicycle is the deficiency in parking areas.

This is how the challenge of developing a new parking system for bicycles which is innovative, competitive and improves the quality of life for bicycle users has emerged.

If well designed, a couple of marine deep cycle batteries should be more than enough to keep it going for 24 hours in "take-out-only" mode where it wouldn't let you check in a bike during a power failure.

The following auxiliary services are necessary:
[x] Electricity supply:
5500W,two wired 220V cable
[x] Broad band telephone line
[x] Submersible pump
[x] Earth
[x] Electrical installation and sockets.
[x] Ventilation system.

Bombs. What's to stop somebody from constantly packing explosives in each cubicle, and then detonating the entire structure?


:rolleyes: And why would you think of that first.....:eek: Please check yourself into the first HomeLand Security office you can find.:p :p

Looks awsome, too bad it will never be available in U.S. :(

[I]biceberg is an automatic underground bike park.


Thanks for the info!

see that
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAr64tk8i-E&eurl=
Is that you in the video? I'm from Brazil too.


Thanks for the info!
You're welcome!


Looks awsome, too bad it will never be available in U.S. :(
Much less in Brazil... :(

A long time ago I saw plans for a car parking garage that worked the same way. Basically a big conveyer belt with storage compartments spaced along it that loops underground. It's a very effective use of space, and as long as the access code is secure and the garage door isn't compromised, should be very secure.

STUDY OF FAVORABLE MEASURES FOR THE IMPLANTATION, FINANCING AND AMORTIZATION OF A BICYCLES PARKING


1] Exploitation and social value in the long term
2] Sponsor advertising
3] European financing


1] Exploitation and social value in the long term
The factors to consider are several to ensure the success in the development of the implantation of the system of biceberg parking, and its consideration is fundamental at the time of promoting the system. These can be summarized in:

 Location adapted for origin-destiny, between origin-destiny.
 Services Zone.
 Good communication with the existence of routes for cyclists around.
 Guarantee of security in the circulation for the cyclists and pedestrians.
 Use by an ample segment of users of different ages.
 High rotation, to satisfy in the service to the greater number of users and therefore to cause in the user the increase in passages because of facilitated the security.

As an example we are going to describe three types of locations that ensure immediately until long term the success in their installation, service and modification of habits, guaranteeing satisfaction to all the involved agents.


A.- SPORT COMPLEX.


Activities: All the related ones to the sport, training, competition, of leisure, entertainment and spectacle.

Schedule of utilization: 8 h. to 22 h., 14 hours.

Permanency: Periods understood between 1 and 2 hours.

Services day: for unit. parking: 9 serv./day of 1,30 h
biceberg 46: 414 services / day of 1,30 h

User's profile: Generational and socially it includes the whole subjects, different assistance depending on the age and occupation.

Origin-destiny: It appreciates that the user not only make the distance up to the facilities, but origin-destiny combines it with other distances, to a great extent supported on the effect of keep other kind like luggage which the system is prepared.

Other uses: It is possible to introduce the night parking, facilitating the parking in origin to users with address around.

Other observations: It appreciates improvement in the condition (state) and quality of the park of bicycles, on having covered a stadium that the users up to the moment did not have guaranteed, since up to the moment the habitual user was in the habit of covering exclusively the safety in origin and destiny.


B.- COMMERCIAL AREA IN HISTORICAL RECOVERED AREAS, PEDESTRIAN AREAS OR FREE OF MOBILE TRAFFIC.


Activities: Commercial of small volume, fashion–complements, electronics, photo and audio; academies, leisure, hotel, catering business and spectacles; cultural, historical values of the environment and exhibitions.

Schedule of utilization: 8 h. to 24 h., 16 hours

Permanency: Periods understood between 1,30 and 2,30 h.

Services day: for unit. parking: 8 services / day of 2 h
biceberg 46: 368 services / day of 2 hours


User's profile: Generational and socially it includes the whole subjects, different assistance depending on the age, occupation and activity. Variable, between working day and weekend.

Origin-destiny: It appreciates that the user not only make the distance up to the facilities, but origin-destiny combines it with other distances, though in the main, they make different activities in the same environment, to a great extent supported on the effect of keep other kind like luggage which the system is prepared.

Other uses: It is possible to introduce the night parking, facilitating the parking in origin to users with address around, in general housings without parking, lumber room, or of elevation system up to the housing.

Other observations: The variety of services offered in these emplacements provokes the power to realize more than one activity in the same one and of different character. The businessmen of the establishments can be interested in facilitating the parking to clients using the system.
Improvement is obtained in the condition and quality of the park of bicycles, on having covered a stadium that the users up to the moment did not have guaranteed, since the habitual user exclusively covers the safety in origin and sometimes in destiny.



C.- INTERCHANGERS OF TRANSPORT.

Activities: Depending on location and offered destinies it can include all the related ones to the assistance to work, study, and commercial. These parameters influence the schedules and permanencies, though to every case it is possible to give a third of assignment in the profile of the user.

Schedule of utilization: 6 h. to 24 h., 18 hours

Permanency: Periods understood between 3 and 9 hours.
(Average 6 hours).

Services day: for ud. parking: 3 services / day of 6 h.
biceberg 46: 138 services / day of 6 hours


User's profile: Generational and socially it includes the whole subjects, different assistance depending on the age, occupation and activity. Variable, between working day and weekend.

Origin-destiny: The user realizes in bicycle the initial distance from origin, though depending on the emplacement it is possible to introduce as the second distance after the utilization of the public transport, if the user has the sure parking guaranteed in destiny.

Other uses: The night parking and weekend it is possible to facilitate for the users who use the bicycle for the second distance. The businessmen and teaching institutions can offer facilities for utilization.

Depending on the environment, it can offer of combined form the utilization foreseen for sport complexes and for commercial areas.

Other observations: The installation provokes increase in the number of users not only of the public transport, but in that of users of the bicycle, which favoured the intermodality and the promotion and utilization of the bicycle.


In all the previous cases, there must be born in mind the possibility that offers to reserve a percentage of the squares to offer the service of rent of bicycles, for the movement, also for the accomplishment of tourist and cultural routes, and as well for hotel establishments service around.



CONCLUSIONS:

The success in the implantation and initial development of the system is in the installation of the system in areas of public's great abundance, located in zones of services, where the hourly of services is wide and with raised rotation and where there are combined different generational and social profiles. These locations contribute a value added to the exploitation of the street furniture as advertising support and civil point of information multimedia. (This part is developed later on). Besides it is interesting bear in mind the resources that can offer in the tourist plane being able to destine partially utilization to the rending or rent of bicycles, added to the collaboration that can be obtained by the establishments of hotel and catering business.


Priority for installation bear in mind the projection that offers the system in the improvement of the service and attention to existing users, the increase in number and profile that is obtained, and the social and environmental value that originates in the modification of conducts and habits.

Exploitation originates economic direct benefits on having possessed the collaboration of the services offered in destiny. The application of limited rates reverberated in the user, guarantees exploitation depending on the given service, provided that values offer added like it is the guard and integral custody of elements and accessories of the bicycle, safety elements of the user, and the safety of other elements and transported objects.

With the information and examples previously showed, is possible estimate a program that indicates the forecast of uses, the possible rates to apply, and the income that direct exploitation can generate.


2] Image of the product and sponsorship advertising

The product has as principal attraction of constituting an innovative resource around the promotion of the bicycle, technically very advanced, with a modern and futurist conception of his services, according with the development of the new century, and located in places of great attraction, which joined to the services given, answers to the interests of the implied parts.

Besides, with presentations that try to give response to the imperious need of the administration to search private allies who contribute with funds for development, linking the product to the promotion of a value in rise like it is the bicycle knowing that the bicycle is one of the bases of sustainable mobility, health and sport.


biceberg incorporates in the street furniture the possibility of an advertising exploitation that self-amortizes the installation. Three faces of 2,30 m. x 2,30 m. of shop window in the urban way, which could support, active advertising and multimedia, can support on-line, and even three-dimensional introducing objects.


The advertising on-line places to the furniture of biceberg in the new advertising trends of specialization for urban band times, being able to include the different population segments recipients of every band. Partial or totally, it is possible to introduce information to the citizen on-line and multimedia.

The installation of the automatic parking for bicycles "biceberg" in the urban centres, specially in the historical areas like potential centres of business and where till now the advertising use was restricted, goes to stimulate that our support implants itself rapidly and massively, taking advantage of the community inertias of pedestrian zones and closing to the traffic rolled in the above mentioned centres.


The stations of transport and modal interchangers are active centres of important flows of urban rotation, have a potential high place of impacts / hour.

The exploitation of the automatic parking for bicycles "biceberg" is easily negotiable from the Town halls, in a transfer of use for a number of years with an advertising company that manages the complete service.

Different studies with companies of the first line Europeans of this type of services, (sponsorship of the street furniture), estimate it between 6.000 and 18.000 € annual, according to location and frequency of the advertising impact.

3] European funding
The philosophy of this type of actions is based on the directives of sustainable city and quality of life. They are directed the concept of new services based on the innovation that the cities, institutions or unions incorporate, in order to improve the environmental levels, and pollutant incorporated new alternatives of modal interchange of transport not.

To take part in this type of programs it is necessary to realize a concrete action in a delimited area. As example we summarize some directions where to find the European programs in which it was possible to integrate.

Especially belonging actions to 5 th exist and 6 th Programmes Frame, as well as in the documents of work of the close one 7 th Programmes, in the paragraphs referred to the Sustainable Development and the global change and conservation of ecosystems in which they develop and evaluate the urban infrastructures that foment the utilization of manners of transport not become mobile, (key 4 point 4.4.1, 5th FP), as well as for the comparative evaluation and demonstration of new technologies of transport and of the corresponding infrastructures, (key 4 point 4.4.2, 5 th FP). In these programs the Community helps to finance activities inside the specific programs that go from 30 % to 50 %.


For more information about the related programs:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/pdf/blue_guide_es.pdf
 5 th Frame Programme:
http://www.cordis.lu/fp5/
 6 th Frame Programme 2002-2006:
http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/home.cfm#top
 Doc. Work 7 th Frame Programme 2007-2013:
ftp://ftp.cordis.lu/pub/infrastructures/docs/rifp7_workingdoc_291004_


Likewise inside these programs direct initiatives develop as Initiative CIVITAS (City - Vitality - Sustainability) belonging to the Specific Program "Competitive and Sustainable Growth ". It is a question of initiatives of urban transport which intention is to help to the cities to develop new and global strategies for the urban supported transport, by means of measurements, technologies and innovative infrastructures.

The European Commission destines 50 million Euros to rest to pioneering cities on the development of the urban transport. It supports the offers innovative and integrated for the development of the urban transport presented by involved European cities. Of this form, the Commission wants to foment competitive alternatives in the use of the cars in the centres of the cities and to attack the growth of the congestion and of the pollution in the European cities.

For more information, to go to:

http://www.civitas-initiative.org/civitas/docs/leaflet_sp.pdf
http://www.tellus-cities.net/search.php?suchfeld=bicycle
http://www.civitas-initiative.org/civitas/home.cfm

The European Commission is firmly compromised by the promotion of the sustainable transport. The persons' transport and commodity he is the major consumer of energy and environmental pollution source and therefore a reduction in unnecessary efficient trips and an increase of transport they are highly desirable.

This aim can be summarized as "Competitive promotion and sustainable development ", which is the key topic of the investment in investigation in the next years.


Some of these projects have developed with total success:

 ADONIS (Analysis and development of the substitution of the short distances realized in car for mounting in bicycle), includes measurements to stimulate to mount in bicycle.

 WALCYNG (How increase to walk and to mount in bicycle instead of realizing the short distances in car and doing these sure manners).

For more information, to go to:
http://www.cogita.dk/urbike1.asp
http://www.eltis.org/sp/indexfnd.htm

Other programs nowadays in development are:
 The program INTERREG III-b is conceived in such a way that by means of an international collaboration, it is capable of fomenting the local development and of spreading the efficient and sustainable systems of transport. In this context, one of three prior axes is to foment effective and sustainable systems of transport and a major access to the society of the information, in order to facilitate the communications between the insular or peripheral regions.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/interreg3/abc/voletb_es.htm

 The program URBAN II foments innovative models of development for an economic and social reconstruction of municipal territories, since finances projects in a series of spheres - included the development of economic and ecological systems of transport.

Urban II constitutes the community initiative of the European Fund of Regional Development (FEDER) in favour of the sustainable development of the cities and neighbourhoods in crisis of the European Union during the period 2000-2006.
After the first stage Urban in the period 1994-1999, Urban II is focused, in a more specific way, to promoting the (elaboration and putting in practice of innovative models of development who favour the economic and social regeneration of the urban zones in crisis. The program will intensify, likewise, the interchange of information and of experiences relating to the urban sustainable development in the European Union.

Useful address of urban nets:
 Eurocities
http://www.eurocities.org/
 European campaign of sustainable cities
http://www.iclei.org/europe/la21/sustainable-cities.htm

 Guide of urban nets of the UEMRI (Initiative of investigation on the environmental urban management)
http://www.gdrc.org/uem/networks/index.html
 Urban German-Austrian net
http://www.deutscher-verband.org/seiten/urban-netzwerk/default.asp
 Program of the French net:
http://www.urban-france.org
 URBACT:
http://www.urbact.org

This alone paragraph tries to be a small guide of reference to the programs and performances that in the area of the European Community are developing, and that are of application for the subsidy of an important part of the costs of offers tending to the development of the bicycle as way of urban transport, since it is the product that occupies us.

CONCLUSIONS
Enumerated three routes separated from possible funding of the investment, one makes notice that never these three types are incompatible, it put us in a very favourable situation for the installation, if the political will and the vision of future of the obligatory nature of this type of infrastructures consolidates a politics directed to realizing new planning’s of urban, and like that environments to solve the problems derived from the urban congestion and the acoustic and atmospheric pollution of our cities.

The new society demands more habitable cities, since it is reflected in the last report of the European Commission that indicates that there is 70 million users of bicycles and a clear response of the European citizens, where 24 % already chooses the bicycle every day as urban transport, denoting the increasing inertia for the next years fomented by the political ones of sustainable cities that are developing from the European Union.


ma-SISTEMAS, s.l., January, 2006
Department of promotion and communication.

Hello!!, I think it's a great and brilliant 0idea.
We have recently visited Spain and I have observed and used your
automated bicycle parks. They are fantastic and a great solution to
the problem of security and protection for bicycles, also introducing
the advantage of a checkroom or left-luggage locker. Bicycles are now
completely safe, giving commodity that users demand for development of
bicycle as a urban way of transport.
I would like to point out that with the application of the system
there has been a substantial increase in number of users, an increase
in the social and generational profile of the users and an improvement
in the quality of the bicycles in use, with a return to cycling by
former bicycle users.

Best regards,

Diban Bikerson

PD.If you want, I can send (attaching) documentation in the form of a
pdf file which gives an overall idea of operation and applications, as
well as a document on amortization that includes some of the
experiences obtained to date.

Out of curiousity how much does it cost to use?

I like the concept. It's a device I might use on certain occasions like going on a run to the market, provided that the Biceberg were actually made AVAILABLE at my local market. Normally; however, one of the appealing tributes of my bike is that it allows me to be self-sufficient. After work, for example I go into the back spare office, grab my bike and leave. My work day is complete the second I walk out the front door. I need not rely on anyone or anything. Unlike those days when I'm among the caged fury my bike totally removes the need for parking passes, semiphores, bitter-faced garage attendants, and long winding ramps leading me into the depths of Hades. I just grab my bike and go silently slipping past traffic. A biceberg is a novel idea. But that's the problem. It's novel. Trite. It ads more steps in the process. More gadgetry. More pass cards. More technology. More holes in the ground. More STUFF.

Of course if I thought it would increase the use of bicycles even in the slightest.... I can think of no reason to not support its adoption and use here in the states.

Have you seen bigloo? It is for the parking and rental of bicycles. I think it is very interesting. You can check it out in the BACC( Catalonian bicycle club) October news, +

http://www.bacc.info/ciclotimes/index.asp

You may want to download an introduction of bigloo, ( click + symbol on bigloo )

I'm curious whether it can fit a tandem or a longbike...

Have you seen bigloo? It is for the parking and rental of bicycles. I think it is very interesting. You can check it out in the BACC( Catalonian bicycle club) October news, +

http://www.bacc.info/ciclotimes/index.asp

You may want to download an introduction of bigloo, ( click + symbol on bigloo )

Tot en Catala?

I saw a Biciberg in San Feliu de Guixols (Catalunya) this summer at the Sarfa bus station. I took some pics but didn't get to use it.

Looks like bicycle roulette. In goes your Colnago. Out comes a Huffy.

OTOH, in goes your Huffy, out comes a Clonago. :D