B-CYCLE
On 29th May 2012, Mr Brandon C Smith as the Sustainable Transport Program Manager in Environmental Center, University of Colorado briefed us on Bike Renting Program in CU. The bike station offers numerous ways to help keep campus cyclists in the saddle and enjoying the campus and Boulder's great environment. They value the bicycle as an effective means of commute and recreation, improving its users' health, mobility and economic vitality. This is not a full service bike shop and therefore is limited by time, ability, staffing, and supplies. This cycling program can create a strong campus cycling community.
There is a program called Semester Rental. They provide students, faculty, and staff with a gently used but newly tuned bike on a semester by semester basis. The Semester Bike Rental Program charges a $30 rental fee (non-refundable) and a $100 deposit (refundable). If the bike returned in the same condition, deposit $100 will be returned to the user. Renewal of rental for a second semester only cost $10.
On 30th May 2012, we met Mr Kevin Orchison from Boulder B-Cycle. Boulder B-cycle is Boulder’s nonprofit, community bike sharing system. B-cycles are bikes that are always easy to ride- just need to simple steps, choose the bike, grab the bike and return the bike. He shared some information and his experiences on bike sharing program. He briefed us what action they will take if the bike get stolen or vandalized. Currently there are 15 stations in Boulder, and consist about 100 bicycles. If a user does not return their B-cycle within one day, staff will call and notify the user that they must return their bike within the next 24 hours. If the bike is not returned within 48 hours, the user's credit card will be charged $1,000.
Bike sharing can help to relieve road and parking congestion, minimizing pollution and carbon emissions, enhancing the personal mobility and making public transit more convenient, while promoting health and wellness.
There is a program called Semester Rental. They provide students, faculty, and staff with a gently used but newly tuned bike on a semester by semester basis. The Semester Bike Rental Program charges a $30 rental fee (non-refundable) and a $100 deposit (refundable). If the bike returned in the same condition, deposit $100 will be returned to the user. Renewal of rental for a second semester only cost $10.
On 30th May 2012, we met Mr Kevin Orchison from Boulder B-Cycle. Boulder B-cycle is Boulder’s nonprofit, community bike sharing system. B-cycles are bikes that are always easy to ride- just need to simple steps, choose the bike, grab the bike and return the bike. He shared some information and his experiences on bike sharing program. He briefed us what action they will take if the bike get stolen or vandalized. Currently there are 15 stations in Boulder, and consist about 100 bicycles. If a user does not return their B-cycle within one day, staff will call and notify the user that they must return their bike within the next 24 hours. If the bike is not returned within 48 hours, the user's credit card will be charged $1,000.
Bike sharing can help to relieve road and parking congestion, minimizing pollution and carbon emissions, enhancing the personal mobility and making public transit more convenient, while promoting health and wellness.
eGo Car Share
Friday June 1st, 2012, the SUSI energy team visited eGo CarShare, a local non-profit car sharing organization, serving the Boulder-Denver metro area, to investigate the car-sharing program in Boulder City. The organization’s goal is to reduce the amount of cars driving on the road. The team was able to arrange a meeting with Zach Swank, the Outreach Associate and member of eGo CarShare, to discuss various aspects of the organization. We were given an exclusive preview of how the system works, which included administrative data and experienced the entire car sharing process from registration to reservation to returning the car. According to Zach, the organization has gained significant popularity among the people in Boulder through the years with over 2000 registered members and over 30 cars available for sharing in Boulder and Denver. They have also just received a grant that will enable them to acquire eight more vehicles.
eGo CarShare was not built to be a universal solution for vehicle over population, but it is a solution that is works for Boulder. When a non-profit model is compare with a for-profit model, some advantages and disadvantages can be seen. Non-profit organizations are very dependent, especially financially, they would have to either wait for donations or write very good grants, in turn limits the amount of cars they can put on the road. However, non-profits have more freedom in their work. This means they do not have trade secrets and employees work with passion, which in turn makes the working environment a lot more positive. Not to mention the positive response from the public.
eGo CarShare was not built to be a universal solution for vehicle over population, but it is a solution that is works for Boulder. When a non-profit model is compare with a for-profit model, some advantages and disadvantages can be seen. Non-profit organizations are very dependent, especially financially, they would have to either wait for donations or write very good grants, in turn limits the amount of cars they can put on the road. However, non-profits have more freedom in their work. This means they do not have trade secrets and employees work with passion, which in turn makes the working environment a lot more positive. Not to mention the positive response from the public.
Holiday Neighborhood and SpringLeaf
On May 30, we met with George Watt, owner of George Watt Architecture. He gave us a tour on Holiday Neighborhood and SpringLeaf and explained us the concept of Holiday Neighborhood and SpringLeaf. He is the architect that in charge on design of this two neighborhood and he explained the concept of New Urbanism. We can understand concept of New Urbanism clearly by exposure to real environment of this neighborhood. Under this concept, we are no longer separated by zone. For example, we always have industrial zone and residential area but now all the concept mixed in a neighborhood area. This is called mixed use and people can benefits as they can reach all the places in a short walking distance.
We were also impressed by the "co-housing concept" since it can brings people in a neighborhood closer. We were given chance to visit the community garden and community center under this concept. These are the places that gave residents to gather together and build their friendship. They have a garden and all residents can plant any plant on
this piece of land and the water for watering is free since it is sponsored.
The concept of New Urbanism is such a great idea that beneficial to all people and we really hope that this concept can bring it back to our home country.
We were also impressed by the "co-housing concept" since it can brings people in a neighborhood closer. We were given chance to visit the community garden and community center under this concept. These are the places that gave residents to gather together and build their friendship. They have a garden and all residents can plant any plant on
this piece of land and the water for watering is free since it is sponsored.
The concept of New Urbanism is such a great idea that beneficial to all people and we really hope that this concept can bring it back to our home country.