MIT TECHBIKES INFO SESSION 2/6/06

Where We’re Going Automated bike checkout system Web-interfaced Several hubs on campus

The case for Bikeshare Promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation Allows for more mobility and encourages exercise that requires no significant lifestyle changes A lot of people can’t afford to own a bike, don’t ride frequently enough to own one, or

THE MIT CAMPUS On Campus Destinations: East End dormitories West End dormitories Kendall Square Sloan School Z-Center Parking lots Distant laboratories and offices 161 sprawling acres

MIT Off Campus Off campus Destinations: Central Square Harvard Square Newbury Street Fenway Haymarket Downtown Crossing Esplanade FSILGs Apartments

Bikeshare’s History First Generation Location: Amsterdam, Milan 1960s; Portland, Minneapolis, Boulder, Princeton 1990s Plan: Set out free bikes for community use Conclusion: Plagued by theft and vandalism because no reliability or user accountability “We’ll usually set several hundred recycled bikes in early summer. By the end, there are almost none left.” Portland, Oregon Bike Share, 1990s

Bikeshare’s History Second Generation Location: Copenhagen, 1990s Plan: Locate bikes at specially-placed hubs with coin- operated lock mechanisms, make theft unattractive by painting bikes an obvious color, use non-standard bike parts. Conclusion: Subject to significant theft due to limited accountability from coin-deposit

Bikeshare’s History Third Generation Location: Annapolis, Arlington, Alexandria, 2000 Plan: Locate bikes at specially-placed hubs based on ID-card swipe system Conclusion: First generation to incorporate personal information to ensure user accountability I’m impressed with Yellow Bikes in Austin. I’d love to see a similar program here. Student, Political Science

Where we’ve been Meetings with admins –MIT facilities –Edgerton Center –UA Finboard appeals pending We have an office! ! ► EC Techbikes ► bikes available for rent stored in the basement ► interested students register, receive short safety talk, sign a waiver ► EC desk has keys to the bikes, rents them out and takes an ID as collateral

HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH TECHBIKES ► People experienced with swipe card technologies and implementation We can use… ► A publicity manager ► Anyone with an interest in reducing pollution and congestion in Cambridge and beyond ► Anyone who is good at securing funding ► People to rent our bikes ► Bike mechanics, or anyone interested in learning about bike repair ► People interested in designing web applications, interfacing our system with the web

HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH TECHBIKES Modes of assistance: ► AUP project ► Need a thesis project? ► Know of a professor that would be interested? ► Join the techbikes mailing list ► Come to meetings ► Want to arrange a UROP?