The Dutch railways allow passengers to travel with their folding bikes without extra charge. Because of the vast increase in numbers in the past two years, I doubt this policy will last much longer as the bikes use too much space in already crowded trains, on platforms and escalators.
As a fan and frequent user of public transportation I welcome the Bikedispenser, the worlds most compact fully-automated, space-saving storage and dispensary system for rental bicycles. No need anymore to hassle with heavy weight, or annoying people in the pathways. It is developed to increase ease-of-accesibility to those business areas lying within three kilometers of commonly used public transportation hubs and junctions. Eindhoven and Arnhem will be the first cities to support a pilot launch.
Both the dispenser and the bicycles have been custom-designed for ease-of-use, low-maintenance and efficiency by the Amsterdam based studio Springtime industrial design. By showing a chipcard your bicycle is available in less than 20 seconds and the return process is even faster. The average Bikedispenser locates 100 bicycles at ground level, but Bikedispensers can also be sited underground or within buildings. Using the Bikedispenser is quicker and cheaper than waiting for and taking a bus. The bikes are always in good condition, and in the future will be available at many strategic locations. So now you don't even have to own a bike anymore, and space is saved at home too.
For more of my favourites in sustainable product design, have a look at www.re-f-use.com, with the remains of this European traveling exhibition curated by the author.
Natascha Drabbe, project manager, Premsela Dutch Design Foundation www.premsela.org
Coordinator Erik - vander.Molen, Press and Cultural Dept., Netherlands
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