General Cycling Discussion - Community Free Bike Exchange

On behalf of a local community group, I have taken on the task of researching the possibility of establishing a free bike exchange (probably not the proper name to use) for our small low income community of 21k, Bay Point, CA. Most of the population is within 3-4 blocks of the main roads (about 4-5 miles worth). Most of the main roads already have bike lanes.

I think this has been done before. (Davis, Ca has been mentioned) But I haven't been able to find out if any such programs still exist, if they were successful and the details of their operation.

This is what I have in mind. We would have 100-200 donated bikes painted a bright color with perhaps attached helmets with crates &/or baskets attached to carry items. There would be about 25 bike racks placed in front of local businesses along the main roads. Local youth would be given training and income opportunities to repair & maintain the bikes, to weld and other tasks (even maybe a bike taxi and delivery service). We are in the SF Bay area, so we have a large market to seek out free used bikes. Advertising from local businesses on the bikes and racks plus community donations would be our original financial source. We will also try to obtain grant money for this project.

I figured this was the place to come for information and feedback. Any other organizations and websites that I should visit?

Peace, Michael E. Kerr

We have something similar here called Bike Share. They are all yellow singlespeed bikes, some have a handlebar basket.

http://communitybicyclenetwork.org/bikeshare.html

We had it here for a little while all the bikes were painted floresent s/p ? green they were left all over down town if you want to ride around the lake or what ever just hop on. And when you were done with it just lean it against a post or tree for the next person. But all good things come to an end the parks dept. got tired of draging the them out of the lake. And and the usual meatheads would abuse them that they just stoped it. It was nice tired of walking, ride for awhile.

If you go to the Park Tool website, find the link for classes and look up the dude who teaches for the Chicago area. He does exactly what you're talking about on the side.

He seems like he's pretty successful.

Koffee

something along those lines here in Philadelphia.
http://www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org/

FWIW, I recall reading somewhere that these "yellow bikes" have a lifespan of about five years on average. They usually end up in dumpsters or in a creek somewhere.

That said, I'd like to see this done in my hometown too.

I can see 3/4ths of the the people in my town taking them home, or throwing them out in front of cars, or in the river, etc.

Wouldn't work here :P

In Decatur (near Atlanta) there is Decatur Yellow Bikes (http://www.dybikes.org/). I have been helping out the past 2 saturdays, helping put old bikes into running order. It feels good to help.

Sadly, many people equate "no cost" with "no value" and you will probably find your bikes abused, stolen, and trashed out.

Maybe it would be better to fix up the bikes and sell them at low cost to needy people. When people put a little skin into the game, they take it more seriously.