Design Responses > About Bike Hire Schemes >
Introduction

Third Generation - Public Bike Tracking

The most recent innovations among public bicycle programmes, which help curb vandalism and control theft of the bikes, have come with the introduction of ‘third generation’ schemes, which are often run as public-private partnerships to help cover higher start-up and running costs of the higher-tech equipment.

The main difference between the second and third generation is the tracking of the (bikes) to prevent theft. (DeMaio, 2001)

Urban advertising firms, JC Decaux and Clear Channel Adshel currently dominate this field with installations based on their 'Cyclocity’ and ‘Smart Bike’ systems, respectively. The first automated 'Self Service’ public bike scheme was installed by Clear Channel in Rennes in 1998 and between the two companies there are currently installations in nearly 30 cities worldwide. A number of smaller organisations have also now developed competing systems. As successful installations have been proven, many cities have started to take interest. As we approach the second decade of the 21st century, ever more second- and third-generation schemes are appearing in cities, which are realizing that the concept of city bikes is not only now viable, but fits with international agendas for transport, tourism, health, sustainability, energy, environment and more. An extensive list of programmes is available here.