Colorado Bicycle library popularity a turn up for the books

FC Bike Library
The Bike Library project is actually a partnership between the City of Fort Collins, Bike Fort Collins, and the Fort Collins Bike Co-op. The City and Bike Fort Collins applied for the grant and is the fiscal agent. Bike Fort Collins and the Fort Collins Bike Co-op operate the day to day operations. When we wrote the scope of work for the grant, we assumed an estimated release date for bikes in the bike library program. Our grant allows us wiggle room to build this project sustainably and to the best of our abilities so as long as we meet our goal at the end of each contract year. Again, we are not forced or required to meet the exact promises in terms of the # bikes and associated release dates as outlined in our scope of work, but we will need to have in place the number of bikes we said we would by the end of the year.

The contracts were in fact a number of months late from CDOT due to the delayed release of funds from the Federal Highways Administration. The project officially began it’s funding in February of this year for a one year contract period. The 2009 contract will probably arrive in February 09′ although it may be later, depending upon the Federal Highways Administration and their allowed release of funding.

Initially, we were going to buy all new bikes for the library program and then we decided to refurbish old, but still quality bikes for the program. These bikes were found and abandoned bikes in FC that were originally collected by FC Police Services. This method entailed a lengthier process in terms of getting bikes on the streets; however, the recycling and sustainability factors were direct community benefits. Instead of paying another vendor from China more money for new bikes, we were able to pay local Fort Collins bike mechanics to fix up bikes that already existed in our community, thus keeping the project and the spending localized. Plus, with a smaller amount of bikes to start off with, we were able to manage the program with more success and we were able to work out the bugs. We will still incorporate refurbished, repainted bikes into the library program, but to meet current demands, we are now also buying new bicycles and when possible, locally or regionally.

The Bike Library program has been very successful and people are using the program. Students, visitors, and locals have benefitted from the bike library and yes, there is a waiting list to borrow a bike. One has to remember however, that we could have 200, 300, or even 400 bikes in a program and their still might be a waiting list. The need for bikes is great in not just our community, but all communities throughout the U.S.

The Bike Library project is funded based upon air quality savings in the form of calculations based upon assumptions of use. There are short term and long term use air quality savings associated with these calculations.

At the end of 2009, we will have 220 bikes in the program and quite possibly more. Although funding will be our biggest hurdle, we will strive to maintain and continue to expand the program sustainably over time.