Helsinki used to have a CityBike system where the bikes were up for grabs for anyone, no registration, no token fee, just take one and ride it. Quite a few of them ended up thrown in the sea, apparently, the rest were frequently beaten all out of shape. City gave up the program after a couple of summers. They have been planning a replacement, higher tech version with advertising company JCDecaux, who run such systems in many other European cities. I'd imagine the issue is the initial cost. Meanwhile, the city operates a repair center where one can get guidance from a pro bike mechanic and borrow tools for on-site repairs. The idea is to support people use their own bikes while bike share system is down.

Some grass roots initiatives have taken the stage as well. One of the larger Lutheran congregations in downtown Helsinki is preparing to leave pink beater bikes without locks in their general area, to see if vandalism is finally considered past season. Maintenance will be performed by volunteers. We'll see how that goes.

One problem with providing bike share services here is our mandatory helmet law. The question has been raised (pros/cons of helmet use aside), since we have such a law, is it OK for anyone to provide shared bikes and NOT provide the mandatory equipment that is required to ride one.

--J