The Utrecht town council has proposed the institution of a system of rental bikes in Utrecht. A system is being considered where commuters, local residents and tourists may grab a bicycle at numerous locations and may return these elsewhere. Similar systems are growing strongly (in other countries). The outdoor advertising firm of JC Decaux has been highly successful with similar systems in Paris and Lyons. Bicycle use increased considerably, the technology is flawless. Other examples of rental bikes systems are operational in other European cities as well. Clear Channel Outdoor, another outdoor advertising firm, operates systems in Oslo and Barcelona, among others. Deutsche Bahn offers Call a Bike in Germany. There are also systems in for instance Vienna and London and several major cities are looking into the possibilities. A rental bike system is an innovative way of promoting bicycle use. Several factors are important in considering whether there should be a rental bike system in Utrecht. Local authorities aim to reduce the number of local car trips in favour of public transport and cycling. The rental bike may provide a contribution to this by serving as a complement to public transport, making public transport more attractive to motorists.
In addition it may provide an alternative for short trips in town. A second objective in the aim to increase accessibility to the town is a reduction in parking pressure for bicycles. In time the rental bike may effect a decrease of local bicycle parking problems because rental bikes are used more efficiently (several times a day) than private bicycles. The initiative states that the rental bike system should contribute to good transportation to and from train stations and (future) park & ride locations. The system should be available to anyone wishing to use it. The main target are people using train stations and park & ride locations, but local residents and tourists should be able to use the system as well. In order to make the rental bike a success, it should be attractive: available 24 hours a day, easily recognisable, easy to use and vandal-proof. Use should be cheap and there should always be enough bikes available, particularly at strategic locations. Finally the system should have a solid financial foundation. This study investigates the need for a rental bike system and studies the influence of a rental bike system on the accessibility of the town, the number of bicycle trips and bicycle parking pressure.