Helsinki plans to provide a thousand new CityBikes in 2010

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The City of Helsinki plans a quantum increase in its number of CityBikes in the next two years. The present 150 bicycles will be replaced by a thousand new CityBikes in the summer of 2010.
      Also the number of bicycle stands will grow. The present 26 stands will be replaced by 85 new ones.
      The undertaking will be primarily funded by profits from advertising. The remaining estimated annual outlay of EUR 300,000 will be covered by the city. Helsinki residents can use the bicycles free of charge.
      The City Public Transport Committee will discuss the acquisition of the new public-access pushbikes next week.
     
The zone where CityBike stands can be found will be widened from the present. The stands will be most densely situated in the central areas.
      Outside the downtown area, the network of CityBike stands will become more scattered. New locations for CityBike stands will be in Lauttasaari, Pasila, and Kalasatama.
      At a later stage CityBike stands are likely to be found also in connection with rail traffic. In a poll commissioned by the Helsinki City Transport (HKL), CityBikes were hoped for at train and metro stations in particular.
      “This came to us as a surprise. The bikes were wanted in conjunction with rail traffic even more so than in the city centre”, reveals HKL planning chief Ville Lehmuskoski.
      At night-time the CityBikes will not be available.
     
The CityBikes equipped with lights, hand brakes, and pedal brakes, were originally scheduled to appear on the Helsinki streets already in 2009.
      “The arrival of the bikes coincides perfectly with next year’s travelcard renewal”, says Lehmuskoski.
      The travelcards used when travelling by public transportation in the capital area will be renewed during the summer and autumn of 2009. The new travelcards can then be used when picking up a CityBike from the stand.
      The card’s user information will be registered in the CityBike data system. All CityBike stands will be equipped with a travelcard reader.
      A travelcard does not have to be topped up with time or money, in order for one to be able to use a CityBike. The card only needs to be registered on the CityBike Internet site.
      If a CityBike is damaged, the holder of the travelcard in question will be liable to pay compensation.
     
A CityBike can be used for a maximum of three hours at a time. After this the vehicle is to be returned back to a stand. Once it has been locked in, the user is discharged from liability.
      Based on past experiences the average time of use is half an hour.
      “We have considered that after three late or failed returns the customer in question would be issued a penalty fare and his or her right to use CityBikes would be withdrawn”, explains Lehmuskoski.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Vandals smash up Helsinki´s CityBikes (23.5.2008)
  Helsinki CityBike season to commence next week (6.5.2008)

Links:
  CityBikes

Helsingin Sanomat