deputyjones
04-28-07, 09:34 AM
A few months ago a change in MI law made it possible for counties to donate bikes to charities/non-profits rather than sell them at county auctions. It appears that Muskegon County has latched onto that and is not offering unlimited daily bike rentals for a $20 deposit plus $5 yearly fee. Pretty neat/progressive idea that you don't see much of around these conservative parts. If this works, I would love to see the program expanded in many ways to offer people low-cost/free rentals/leases/giveaways of bike for transportation. I will be watching this one closely and maybe looking to expand it into our county.
Muskegon Chronicle article (http://www.mlive.com/news/muchronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1177685236242180.xml&coll=8)
When you need something to read, you always can go to the library and check out a book or magazine.
Soon, if you don't have a way to get there, you'll be able to check out a bicycle at the Muskegon County Health Department.
The first bicycles should be available by May 14 -- just in time for Bike to Work Week.
Use of the bicycles will be free, once borrowers pay an annual fee of $5, plus a $20 deposit, said Greg Rasmussen, a public health educator for the department.
Those who register will receive a membership card with their name and picture on it. Each time a member asks to use a bike, he turns in his card and picks it up again when the bike is returned at or before 5 p.m.
At the end of the season, the $20 deposit is returned to the member, unless he failed to return the bike at the end of the day for a third time.
Muskegon did its part to get things rolling by donating four stolen or abandoned adult bikes -- the kind the city used to auction off.
The bikes will be available at the health department headquarters, 209 E. Apple, although Rasmussen said other sites already are being considered for next year, including the Muskegon Family YMCA and the city's Lakeside area. Both are along the route of the city's Lakeshore Trail. Other sites may be added elsewhere, depending on the number of bikes donated.
Rasmussen credited the department's Margaret Plichta with developing the program locally. It's based on "bike library" programs elsewhere in the country, including Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.; Austin, Texas; and Portland, Oregon.
The program is aimed at promoting better health, in addition to just helping people get around.
Muskegon Chronicle article (http://www.mlive.com/news/muchronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1177685236242180.xml&coll=8)
When you need something to read, you always can go to the library and check out a book or magazine.
Soon, if you don't have a way to get there, you'll be able to check out a bicycle at the Muskegon County Health Department.
The first bicycles should be available by May 14 -- just in time for Bike to Work Week.
Use of the bicycles will be free, once borrowers pay an annual fee of $5, plus a $20 deposit, said Greg Rasmussen, a public health educator for the department.
Those who register will receive a membership card with their name and picture on it. Each time a member asks to use a bike, he turns in his card and picks it up again when the bike is returned at or before 5 p.m.
At the end of the season, the $20 deposit is returned to the member, unless he failed to return the bike at the end of the day for a third time.
Muskegon did its part to get things rolling by donating four stolen or abandoned adult bikes -- the kind the city used to auction off.
The bikes will be available at the health department headquarters, 209 E. Apple, although Rasmussen said other sites already are being considered for next year, including the Muskegon Family YMCA and the city's Lakeside area. Both are along the route of the city's Lakeshore Trail. Other sites may be added elsewhere, depending on the number of bikes donated.
Rasmussen credited the department's Margaret Plichta with developing the program locally. It's based on "bike library" programs elsewhere in the country, including Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.; Austin, Texas; and Portland, Oregon.
The program is aimed at promoting better health, in addition to just helping people get around.