https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2023/02/can-we-make-bicycles-sustainable-again.html
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
“Can We Make Bicycles Sustainable Again?”
(3 posts)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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I see that didn’t get any comments!
‘We’ are probably bored with “sustainability”…
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Do you think we’re in ethical good health across the industry?
CK: That’s a loaded question! I think the bike industry in the last decade or so has headed off in the wrong direction, being driven much more for commercial and fashion reasons, encouraging turnover and obsolescence, and that just leads to waste, right? You’re green to a certain point just by owning a bike – but it’s a fallacy to think that you’re not contributing to the overall waste in the world. Now it’s all about rushing to get things to market, getting the jump on the next guy.
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Posted 3 days ago # -
Interesting that I'm noticing more people in everyday clothes riding the Nextbikes around Glasgow, plus the shop I've used since 1985 (Dales) are seeing more customers buying 'complete' bikes, rather than the equivalent of buying a car with the lights and windows (weather protection) sold as 'extras'
It was a very noticeable detail when I passed through Freiburg in 1995 cycling back from Velo city in Basel, along the Rhein Radweg to Luxembourg via Trier en route to get train to UK. At the main bahnhof there was a 48-sheet billboard advertising a bicycle, with all the kit to ride 24/7 in all weathers (lights, mud/chain/skirt guards, luggage rack(s)&c ... 30 years ago
Now we are slowly getting public bike hire (with sustainable business model - DM me for how this can work - I was involved in setting up several automated hire schemes from 1996 onwards)
Worth also highlighting the current operating models used for Beryl & Nextbike concessions in Leeds, Glasgow (& Manchester?) plus the opportunity to replicate the 18 years of having a free pedicab service as operated in Glasgow around the city centre pedestrian zone. The local public bike maintenance & management is delivered through Velogik, recruiting locally, and delivering a way to break the Catch 22 for those classed as NEET, or young offenders, of not having a reference or training to get their first proper job. As with Recyk-a-Bike in Stirling the inmates at Polmont YOI trained for C&G level 1 Technician qualifications whilst recovering bikes & parts in the workshops. Perhaps an Edinburgh scheme with SPS Saughton? to maintain & manage Edinburgh bike hire? (might have some good insights on preventing bike theft & vandalism?)
Would love to deliver this narrative to media folk as features &c, with some 60 years of interesting stories to relate - DM open & do put folk in touch.
Worth highlighting especially is the growing delivery of BromptonHire units at many places, often funded by end of year underspends in transport budgets for [b]Hitrans plus Sestran at Sheriffhall & other locations. An 8 locker unit can support up to 32 bikes out on long term hire, and from the outset (in 2010),the automated hire units were set up to operate on solar panels & 4g/wireless data links, the only requirement being a level pad 1.6 m² for an 8-locker unit, in a suitable location
Brompton Bike Hire also offers long term lease for c.£35 per month (worth pressing your employer for this as an employee benefit?, as it can save the hidden cost (land, construction, maintenance) of providing a staff parking space (roughly £1200-£1500 per year)
PM again for my extensive resources on this detail
Posted 3 days ago #
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