Bike riding is my jam. And it needs to be the worlds too.
It solves many of the problems our future is facing.
Air pollution? Bike.
Too much traffic? Bike.
Stay in shape with a busy work schedule? Bike.
Save on gas prices? Bike.
The list of challenging problems we need to address as a society is growing and has a simple answer, with 2 wheels.
When I've traveled through Europe, a common transportation trend for locals and tourists is bike-sharing. Bike-sharing is a program where several docking stands are set up around the city, the user can rent the bike by signing up online using a code or an app, rent the bike for a small fee for a short amount of time, and return the bike to a different location dock.
Major cities in Europe, known as the cycling king when it comes to cycling infrastructure, have grown the bike-share system to one of their main modes of transportation for not only tourists but also for locals commuting in their daily lives. Paris, London, Milan, Barcelona, Vienna, Amsterdam are just a handful of cities with the best bike-share programs.
Paris alone has over 20,000 bikes and 1,200 docking stations dispersed throughout the city.
With these wildly successful models in place, the world is now looking to these established programs to emulate as we try and create a cleaner better future for our nations.
One company I came across while visiting Seattle is taking bike-sharing to new heights. Affordable, accessible, and efficient. LimeBike is blazing new trails in the commuter community.
The unique aspect LimeBike brings to the table, is eliminating the docking stations. Without the docking stations, the costs per ride are able to remain low, and the bikes can be picked up and dropped off anywhere in the city making it more attractive to users.
Users simply need to download the LimeBike app which shows locations of all the available bikes, equipped with GPS smart locks allowing you to easily unlock the bike with your phone. When you've completed your ride, simply lock it and walk away, wherever your destination may be.
Many cities face the challenge, 'the first and last mile', as they are building their public transportation systems. Commuters who use public transportation are often turned off by either that first or last mile they have to walk or drive to get from their destination to the transportation. LimeBike is the bridge to this problem.
I love it mostly just for that reason; those short distances that take too long to walk but I don't want to get in a car and fight traffic. I pull out my phone, open the app and usually a LimeBike is close and I'm at my destination in no time.
The bikes are also complete with crucial features: a cell phone holder and a basket!! What more could you ask for?
"How do we ensure future generations will not only be able to live on a healthy planet but actually thrive?" LimeBike's motto along with their cool, trendy new way to get around, cities around the US and the world are sure to take notice.
After you've completed your ride, the app gives your ride summary and saves them in a log.
Seattle is leading the pack with nearly 1,000 bikes on the ground since starting in July 2017. Other cities:
-Imperial Beach, CA
-So San Francisco, CA
-So. Lake Tahoe, CA
-Key Biscayne, FL
-Miami Shore, FL
-North Bay Village, FL
-South Bend, IN
-Greensboro, NC
-Dallas, TX
-Washington DC
and as of this week so happy to see in my home:
-Aurora, CO
My 10 year old sister and I took them out for a spin in Aurora. We rode to lunch at L&L Hawaiian BBQ, a local authentic joint with Hawaiian style plate meals and other island favorites. A big local hot spot and must try if you are in Aurora!
The next step in affordable, sustainable, transportation is here. Let's ride and thrive humans.
xoxo
