Cycle loan scheme

"wafflycat" <w*a*ff£y£cat*@£btco*nn£ect.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On the local idiot box news this morning. Caught it briefly. I *think* it
was over in Bletchley. A cycle loan scheme where old bikes are being
refurbished and being made available to members of the community on a
'library book loan' type system where they can borrow bikes, for free to
use for leisure and commuting. Local young offenders are being brought in
to learn how to refurbish & look after the bikes, so they are learning a
skill. Sounds *excellent* and I hope it works out well.

My mum used to work for a company that took on young offenders and disabled
people on a voluntary basis to do the same, but the bikes were shipped out
to Africa. It gave the volunteers work experience and a reference to allow
them to get another job as well as a basic qualification in fixing bikes.

I recently had a questionnaire asking if I'd be interested in a bike hire
scheme on the university campus where I could pick a bike up at one end,
cycle where I needed and drop if off there for someone else to use. Sounded
good but I explained I would never use it as long as I had my own bike!
--
peter

Cheap train tickets database
http://www.petereverett.co.uk/tickets/

Email sent to this address is generally deleted upon arrival
Visit website if you want to contact me

"naked_draughtsman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"wafflycat" <w*a*ff£y£cat*@£btco*nn£ect.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On the local idiot box news this morning. Caught it briefly. I *think* it
was over in Bletchley. A cycle loan scheme where old bikes are being
refurbished and being made available to members of the community on a
'library book loan' type system where they can borrow bikes, for free to
use for leisure and commuting. Local young offenders are being brought in
to learn how to refurbish & look after the bikes, so they are learning a
skill. Sounds *excellent* and I hope it works out well.

My mum used to work for a company that took on young offenders and
disabled people on a voluntary basis to do the same, but the bikes were
shipped out to Africa. It gave the volunteers work experience and a
reference to allow them to get another job as well as a basic
qualification in fixing bikes.

I recently had a questionnaire asking if I'd be interested in a bike hire
scheme on the university campus where I could pick a bike up at one end,
cycle where I needed and drop if off there for someone else to use.
Sounded good but I explained I would never use it as long as I had my own
bike!
--
peter

Cheap train tickets database
http://www.petereverett.co.uk/tickets/

Email sent to this address is generally deleted upon arrival
Visit website if you want to contact me

They tried a scheme like that in Stratford-upon-Avon with refurbished bikes
about 8 years ago - all painted a bright golden yellow ... the scheme
started on a Monday but by the Thursday that week other offenders (ages
unknown) hade made off with the stock of bikes.

These schemes DO work but only with SmartCard technology - both Lyon &
Frankfurt have working schemes, and there is a rumour that Paris is about to
start one.

RG

RG said:

These schemes DO work but only with SmartCard technology - both Lyon &
Frankfurt have working schemes, and there is a rumour that Paris is about to
start one.

Rennes has that scheme too. But I don't think the SmartCard systems are
free. As I recall, Rennes was 4€ per hour or something like that.

Geneva has a cool scheme of advertising bikes (i.e. paid for by being
covered in advertising). You can rent these for free for the day, from 9
to 9. But there is a very hefty deposit on them to make it interesting
for you to bring back the bike! And "young offenders" don't come into
the mix. I'm not sure I'd feel too confident on a bike knowing that the
good functioning of its brakes and gears and tubes was in the hands of
someone who might positively enjoy putting my life at risk.

EFR
Ile de France

Elisa Francesca Roselli of Guest of ProXad - France said:

RG said:

These schemes DO work but only with SmartCard technology - both Lyon &
Frankfurt have working schemes, and there is a rumour that Paris is about to
start one.

Rennes has that scheme too. But I don't think the SmartCard systems are
free. As I recall, Rennes was 4€ per hour or something like that.

The German scheme is run by the train company, Deutsche Bahn. It may have
started in Frankfurt but has extended to many cities. The rental does have
to be paid for.
--
Steph Peters
Chorlton Wanderers Cycling Group
Monthly slow and easy rides from South Manchester
http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/cycling/chwan.htm