Pilot projects were started in Eindhoven for both Lock’n’Go and the Bikedispenser early this year. Lock’n’Go is an automated, secure bicycle parking system working with a special pass. The Eindhoven authorities gave cyclists the opportunity for a free six month trial period for Lock’n’Go, at two locations: the Eindhoven train station and the Woensel shopping centre. There was immediate interest by cyclists. Of the 1.000 free passes available in the trial period, over 500 had been distributed within the first six weeks. By now it is clear that this first trial is a real success.
A feature of the new Bikedispenser, a fully automated parking facility, is the use of distinct, specially designed bicycles. This yields considerable gains in the use of space: the made-to-measure bicycles can be stored in a very compact way. For these bicycles ‘tied’ to the automated parking facility the Bikedispenser system uses a type of automated rental - somewhat comparable to the automated OV-fiets locker operating at eight train stations. The users of the Bikedispenser system are satisfied after a few months’ trial in Eindhoven. The number of users, however, is very low, despite efforts to gain customers through companies at the site. This might be a result of the choice of location.