[fran]

Thought I would post this info as I think it's a really good idea and it looks as though it will get the go ahead very soon.

How the bike hire scheme works:

Users will have to pay a small membership fee — $2.50 a day or up to $50 a year — which will enable them to release one of the bikes out of automatic racks. Users then have the bike for up to half an hour for free, and can return it to any of the racks installed across Melbourne.

http://www.melbournebikeshare.com.au/images/dock.jpg

The plans are for the first 10 bike stations to be set up at locations:

* the Arts Centre in St Kilda Road

*Federation Square

*the corner of Swanston and Flinders street, outside McDonald's

*the City Square

*the Bourke Street mall

*RMIT University

* the State Library of Victoria

*Lincoln Square in Swanston Street

* Melbourne University in Swanston Street

* Melbourne University in Tin Alley

http://www.melbournebikeshare.com.au for more info

[PhillipaW]

Wow that is an awesome idea! Thanks for the post fran.

[Martha]

Hi Fran,

I can imagine myself hopping on one of those contraptions to get around town. What a brilliant idea! Just imagine if lots of people like to do this. It could go the Chinese way and we end up with less pollution in the city. It may prove itself to be a winning idea and other cities in Australia catch on and provide biking areas around Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and other places. Wollongong has an enormous bike track along the coast ready and waiting!!!

[fran]

Maybe they need to think about hiring out helmets as well alongside the bikes - otherwise the 'spur of the moment' is lost - who wanders about town with a cycle helmet? I must admit that having to wear a helmet has put me of cycling.

[Gabriella8]

This is a nice idea. Hope the are also bike accessories for rent like helmet and toddler seat :)