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09-14-08, 03:08 AM
I just returned to London from Paris and while in Paris I had a go of some of the Velib bicycles they have for free use around central Paris Area.
And it really got me thinking about such schemes. Well thinking of an alternative sort of scheme: A way to just flood a city with a few 100,000 bicycles. the Velib bicycles seem quite complicated, what if you had a cheaper version that you just gave away? How much coudl it cost? $1M? a few Million? for a 100,000 identical bicycles..
but then what if individuals owned the bicycles (they might take better care of them)..Suppose
Council/Government sponsered cheap basic bicycles. ie suppose there was an offer in London whereby any London resident could buy a basic bike from the council for less than 50GBP (about $100USD). Ideally say they were priced at around 20 quid.
they may not even have to sell them at a loss. How much does it cost to build a basic bicycle? London is pretty flat you dont' even need gears really. Could you manufacture a cheap basic bicycle for less than $100USD? (Chain Supermarkets etc seem to do it - though they are rubbish bicycles).
I'm thinking something more like the Post office bicycles they use in London - red, with a built in rack, maybe intenal 3 speed. breaks. HOw much do these cost to manufacture?
And it really got me thinking about such schemes. Well thinking of an alternative sort of scheme: A way to just flood a city with a few 100,000 bicycles. the Velib bicycles seem quite complicated, what if you had a cheaper version that you just gave away? How much coudl it cost? $1M? a few Million? for a 100,000 identical bicycles..
but then what if individuals owned the bicycles (they might take better care of them)..Suppose
Council/Government sponsered cheap basic bicycles. ie suppose there was an offer in London whereby any London resident could buy a basic bike from the council for less than 50GBP (about $100USD). Ideally say they were priced at around 20 quid.
they may not even have to sell them at a loss. How much does it cost to build a basic bicycle? London is pretty flat you dont' even need gears really. Could you manufacture a cheap basic bicycle for less than $100USD? (Chain Supermarkets etc seem to do it - though they are rubbish bicycles).
I'm thinking something more like the Post office bicycles they use in London - red, with a built in rack, maybe intenal 3 speed. breaks. HOw much do these cost to manufacture?