Monthly Archives: March 2026

What makes successful a public bike sharing system?

Many cities around the world already have or are implementing a public bike sharing system as their citizens demand more and more bicycle advancements. The bike movement can not be stopped, only delayed. Among all those sharing systems, there are some that have a great success and some others which need a push.

What are the key points in a good public bike sharing system? Knowing  the characteristics of the city is key. If they city is flat and small or medium size, bicycles should not be electric since there is no need for that. Indeed, less e-bikes means more exercise, better health and less costs. Next, it is common that such system are used slightly more by women, so it is a good idea to design them under a feminine perspective. On the other hand, the more difficult step is the first one: to implant the first bike sharing stations and bicycles when the city has few cyclists. Do not worry, as more people pedaling, much more will like to do it. If new bike infrastructures like segregated bike lanes, the better. At the beginning, councils can doubt between doing the bike sharing system themselves or hire a private company. The final decision will depend on several factors such as budget, public workers knowledge on biking or if there is at least one urban biker among the councils workers. This last point is extremely important due to the fact that bad bike sharing systems and bike lanes had been built in the past, and new bicycle viewpoints thanks to those public workers over the years have promoted alternative, bike-friendly redesigns of them. Implementing these innovations costs money and time.

Can a complete sustainability be achieved?

I have thought about it and it is almost an utopia. For instance, if a company designs and ensembles a bicycle, it is the case that the energy used to build it can come from renewable sources, but if we take into account the whole lifecycle of it, from the cradle to the grave, it turns out that there are stages such as the raw resources extraction or the end-of-life which could be unsustainable. So, what are some ideas to advance in industrial processes sustainability?

Rethinking products and processes with green glasses, redesigning them, taking a chance on material reductions, using less impact vehicles for logistics, recycling materials and products, perhaps digitalization, enhancing circular economy, and promoting biking and public transport over cars are examples on how to advance in sustainability. Depending on your situation, you can fulfill some or all of them. In any case, opt for sustainability whenever you can to fight against climate change.