Bicing

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Bicing logo
A bike station des Bicing, Barcelona
Bicing bike
Trolley for redistributing and maintaining the wheels of the bicing

Bicing is a bicycle rental system in Barcelona for the automated rental of bicycles for short distances using a comprehensive network of bicycle stations . It is part of the offer of the municipal company B: SM (Barcelona Serveis Municipals) and the operation of this supplement to the public transport was awarded for 10 years to the American company for outdoor advertising "Clear Channel" , with the possibility of extension to 15 years.

The offer was inaugurated on March 22, 2007 after carefully studying the Lyon model, Vélo'v, and at the end of 2012 had around 420 bike rental stations spread across the city center, with around 6,000 bicycles ready. At the end of February 2009 the system had 186,944 registered users. In 2016, the annual usage price is around 47 euros. Bicing has been operated by PBSC since 2019 .

B i c i n g is an artificial word derived from the Catalan short name bici (for bicycle) and BCN, the short form of Barcelona . The English ending -ing alludes to the Spanish Anglicism “vending” for vending machines, but also to other forms of transport such as footing (Spanish for jogging) or Vueling (a low-cost Catalan airline).

functionality

The offer is to be operated and queried primarily via the Internet. Interested persons can register via the Bicing website or directly in the Bicing customer office. When registering, for which a credit card, an ID number and a Spanish address are required, a customer account is set up, which the customer can then access on the Internet and see his chargeable uses. A few days after registration, you will receive a station overview, brief instructions and your user card by post. After this personal user card has been activated on the company website, bicycles can be removed from the stations and used.

Only other private providers are available for tourists, as the originally planned weekly ticket was abandoned due to legal opposition from the Association of Bicycle Rentals. Accordingly, the websites are only in Spanish and Catalan.

Bicing works with the help of automated bicycle stations that are distributed in the city center at a distance of 300 to 400 m, often also at the stops of the metro . Each station has between 15 and 30 lockable parking spaces for the bicycles and is connected to the central computer in real time. Each parking space has two openings into which the bolts of the bicycle frame are inserted. To remove a bicycle, the user only has to hold his customer card contactless ( RFID technology) at the “Service Access Terminal” and the parking space number is shown on the display, from which he can remove “his” bicycle. While he is walking to the parking space, the electromechanical locking device opens and the green lamp for this parking space flashes to indicate the possibility of removal.

To remove the bike from the parking space, simply lift it up by the handlebars. When you arrive at the bike station closest to your destination, the bike is simply lifted into a free space indicated by a green lamp and the two bolts on the luggage rack are sunk into the openings. The lock then closes and at the end a red lamp signals the successful return and thus the end of your own responsibility. Free parking spaces with a red lamp may not be used for the return in order to prevent subsequent theft by unauthorized persons on behalf of the user.

If all the parking spaces of a bicycle station are occupied and the user cannot return his bicycle, he can see the number and location of the five closest bicycle stations with free parking spaces on a display at the station.

The system is intended for the independent d. H. user-guided distribution of bicycles. In June 2008 there are also 21 diesel-powered vans with trailers that distribute the bikes evenly across the stations. The number of bicycles available on the bicycle station's parking spaces can always be viewed in advance in real time via the Internet, whereby it is shown how many parking spaces are empty and occupied.

The stations are open around the clock on Saturday and Sunday, from Monday to Friday they are closed from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. to allow bicycles to be removed, while returning them to free parking spaces is always possible.

Tariffs and Financing

The first 30 minutes after removal from the station are free of charge. There is no limit to the number of bicycles that can be returned and picked up at the stations. However, you must wait at least ten minutes between return and renewed removal. After the first 30 minutes have elapsed, 50 cents will be charged for every half hour or part thereof up to a total of two hours after removal. Originally, a tariff of 1 euro per hour was planned, but this was then reduced before the inauguration. After the two hours have elapsed, a penalty fee of three euros per hour or part thereof must be paid. Membership is automatically terminated after the penalty fee has been calculated three times. If the bike is not returned within 24 hours, 150 euros must be paid. All fees are automatically collected from the credit or debit card provided by the customer when applying for membership.

Unlike many free bike rentals in other cities, Bicing is not paid for from the advertising income from the outdoor advertising posters and on the vehicles themselves (oversized mudguards), but 2/3 from the surpluses of the municipal parking space management program "Area Verde" (area of ​​the green-framed chargeable car Parking spaces) and one third financed by the users, mainly from their annual fee. According to Bicing, 91 percent of all journeys end after less than 30 minutes and are therefore free of charge for the user. The city administration wanted to pay 22.3 million euros for the investment and operation of the system with around 100 stations over the next ten years. After expanding the system to almost the entire urban area of ​​Barcelona with 6,000 bikes and around 400 stations, the costs that the city pays the operator rose to 5.5 million euros annually.

Used bicycle technology

The bike differs significantly from other models for sale in its design in order to prevent theft and subsequent sale on the black market. The design of the bikes is similar to that of other automatic bike rental stations that the Clear Channel company operates in Rennes, Trondheim and Oslo, among others. With its aluminum frame and steel rims, the bike is designed to be durable , as it is exposed to the elements around the clock. The bike weighs 16.8 kg and has a center stand. It has a red frame color with white mudguards and a height-adjustable saddle with a quick release . The rear wheel is the size of a mountain bike (26 ") and the front wheel is slightly smaller, comparable to that of a folding bike. Both wheels have wide tires and a yellow or white front headlight and a red flashing taillight, which switch on automatically when driving in the dark The light battery is charged at the station. The bike has an internal 3- speed gearshift of the Shimano Nexus type with integrated drum brake . The front brake is a standard V-brake. The handlebar has a special shape and has an integrated luggage rack with a flexible fastening strap, a Bell and a twist grip . Every bicycle has a number and is recognized by the central computer when it is returned to a station. In this way, the usage time (for billing) and the maintenance cycles are recorded. The bicycle has no mobile lock and can only be safely parked at the stations.

Network expansion and user numbers

Development of the number of users ("usuaris") and stations ("estacions")

The registration time of the members for the service began on March 16, 2007. On March 22, 2007 at 2 pm the offer was inaugurated with 350 registered users. Its expansion took place in 3 stages:

  • March 22nd to May 1st; 14 stations available around Ciutadella Park with 200 public bicycles
  • May 1 to July 1: 50 stations available with 750 public bicycles in the right Eixample (new town) and in part of the old town .
  • since the beginning of July 2007: 100 stations available with 1500 public bicycles in the entire Eixample (new town), in the old town and at some points in Gràcia and Sant Martí .

This plan was largely adhered to, with some stations opening earlier and others later. By the end of 2007, there should be around 3,000 bicycles at the 200 stations spread across the entire city. By March 2009, the capacity was expanded to 6000 bikes and 400 stations. In July 2008 the system was available in 75 percent of the urban area of ​​Barcelona. The cycle path network has been expanded to over 156 miles, 128 km.

The original ratio of parking spaces at stations to bicycles was to increase from 1.6 to 2 in order to reduce the need to drive redistribution vehicles and at the same time to prevent overcrowded stations.

The city council estimated 15,000 users by the end of the year, but that number was far exceeded. In the first month 5000 users registered, in the second month there were already more than 25,000 and at the end of June 2008 150,000 users were already registered. Business owners and landlords advertise the short distance to the next bicing station in their advertisements. In the stops of the metro there are instructions as to which exits lead to the bicing stations.

In 2009, a further expansion of the system was also planned outside the city limits of Barcelona . Almost the entire stretch of coast between Castelldefels in the southwest and Montgat in the northeast should be covered with another 3520 bikes at 440 stations. This system should be partially (60 percent) funded through advertising . However, at the end of 2011 no such stations could be found on the bicing website.

Usage statistics

The users are equally men and women. 48 percent are older than 35 years, 42 percent are between 25 and 34 years and 10 percent are younger than 25 years. 70 percent of trips end within 15 minutes and 91 percent within the free half hour. In Barcelona, ​​a public bike is used for an average of 5 hours a day for 16 trips, compared to 3 trips on average with a private bike. The busiest stations within the first three months were Plaça Universitat, Tetuan i Catalunya, Arc de Triomf, Passeig Marítim, Avinguda Icària i Joan de Borbó. 80 of the previously around 1,600 bikes were repaired daily.

Almost ten percent of all trips by bicing substitute the use of motorized individual transport such as a car (3.3 percent) or motorcycle (6.3 percent). In 26 percent of cases, these routes were previously covered on foot. Around 51 percent of journeys used to be made in public transport (metro, bus).

Combined use ( intermodality )

Over 70 percent of users only use public bicycles for one trip. The majority of the remaining 30 percent combine intermodal users with public transport, while a smaller proportion (four percent) also use the car or their own feet (eight percent) for the remaining part of the journey.

Reason for use

The main reason for use is speed of progress: 30 percent give this as the reason. 27 percent see the use of bicing as an opportunity for sporting activity, 23 percent simply find it more convenient and for 22 percent ecological and sustainable mobility is the focus when using it. For 17 percent of users, it is simply cheaper than other forms of transport, twelve percent see it as a practical way of getting around the city and another twelve percent find bicing more pleasant than conventional public transport. (Multiple answers were possible)

Problems

The bike rental companies are accusing the Barcelona city council of creating illicit competition with them. They state that a company would have lost up to 80 percent of its domestic customers and do not rule out taking the case to court if the city council does not limit the use of bicycles to one hour.

Bicing received an unexpectedly high number of membership applications. In the beginning, it was planned to receive the user card by post within three working days, later it took ten working days and in certain cases even more than 50 days.

It often happens that the stations have computer problems and therefore neither allow removal nor safe return.

During the late morning hours, all the parking spaces at the stations near the sea are fully occupied, while not a single bike is available at the higher stations. During the late afternoon and evening hours, the situation is exactly the opposite. This problem has not yet been solved with the bicycle transport vehicles / vehicles for bicycle redistribution, which is why it has been decided to have staff available who are authorized to receive surplus bicycles and who collect the bicycles until they can be redistributed. In some stations there are many more bicycles than the number of parking spaces.

About 10 Bicing bikes disappeared in the first two months. After that, no more figures were published.

The availability of 24 hours required in the tender was reduced after the license was granted for cost reasons, so that a five-hour rental break is prescribed on working days.

The mandatory active night lighting of bicycles only worked completely on around three percent of the bicycles in 2007, as batteries are used for the first time on the smartbikes that are charged at the bicycle rental stations. However, these batteries allow an insufficient number of charge and discharge cycles before they need to be replaced. To remedy this deficiency, took place in 2008, a conversion to a hub dynamo , as used successfully in other locations in Smart bikes. The reflectors on the tires have also been improved.

According to the Association of Bicycle Dealers for Touring Bikes, the sale of bicycles in the first year of "bicing" fell by 10 to 15 percent, and in 2008 by as much as 20 percent. But the new, restrictive bicycle usage statute in Barcelona is also responsible for this.

Web links

Commons : Bicing (Barcelona)  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. a b Tarifes | Bicing. In: www.bicing.cat. Retrieved October 13, 2016 .
  2. Hola Barcelona! In: pbsc.com. Retrieved June 5, 2019 .
  3. bcn.es: priv. Bike rentals in Barcelona
  4. elperiodico.com: A un paso de 400 estaciones , June 24, 2008
  5. elperiodico.com: El Bicing ampliará su funcionamiento de domingo a jueves hasta las 2 de la madrugada , December 29, 2011
  6. adn.es: Barcelona cede a las demandas de las empresas de alquiler de bicicletas y limita el uso del Bicing ( Memento of the original from July 15, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , August 6, 2007 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.adn.es
  7. City Council of Barcelona ( Memento of the original from July 15, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / w3.bcn.es
  8. w3.bcn.es: The bike rental service will be doubled by next summer ( memento of the original from September 1, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , September 25, 2007 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / w3.bcn.es
  9. elperiodico.es: DUES BICICLETES MOLT DIFERENTS ( Memento of the original from September 26, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.elperiodico.com
  10. ^ Kerstin Burckhart: Public bicycle in Barcelona after its second year of implementation (Spain) , March 2009, accessed on December 21, 2011
  11. europapress.es: El Bicing concentrará en septiembre el control de las estaciones y la atención al usuario cerca de Glòries (Barcelona) , July 9, 200?
  12. 20minutos.es: 15 Km de carril bici nous al desembre quan sols n'han fet set en 4 anys , September 21, 2007
  13. Damien Simonis: Barcelona , Lonely Planet Germany, 2011, ISBN 978-3-8297-2218-6 , p. 292 ( excerpt in the Google book search)
  14. loquo barcelona: keyword bicing
  15. 20minutos.es: El Bicing se extiende y llegará a 17 ciudades del área metropolitana de Barcelona , July 17, 2008
  16. elperiodico.cat: El Bicing registra una allau de 1,000 nous subscriptions cada dia  ( page no longer available , search in web archivesInfo: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , June 30, 2007@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.elperiodico.cat  
  17. elperiodico.com: El éxito imprevisto del Bicing obliga a replantear el servicio , July 8, 2007
  18. elperiodico.com: Principals motivacions dels abonats per usar el Bicing ...  ( Page no longer available , search in web archivesInfo: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.elperiodico.com  
  19. elperiodico.cat: La gestió del Bicing enfronta dos Gegants multinacionals  ( page no longer available , search in web archivesInfo: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , July 1, 2007@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.elperiodico.cat  
  20. elperiodico.cat: Sols el 3% de les bicicletes del Bicing circulen amb els dos llums operatius ( Memento of the original from October 12, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , October 12, 2007 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.elperiodico.cat
  21. elpais.com: Los comercios de bicicletas acusan una caída de ventas del 20% que atribuyen al 'bicing' , August 2, 2008
  22. paper.avui.cat: El Bicing fa baixar un 15% la venda de bicicletes urbanes ( Memento of the original from July 15, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , January 21, 2008 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / paper.avui.cat