{"id":16497,"date":"2014-05-23T12:11:13","date_gmt":"2014-05-23T18:11:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress-367309-1145705.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=16497"},"modified":"2014-07-06T10:55:22","modified_gmt":"2014-07-06T16:55:22","slug":"free-bike-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainablog.org\/articles\/free-bike-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"There is Such Thing as a Free Bike: Low & No-Cost Programs Around the World"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a><\/p>\n As we and others have noted many, many times before, the bicycle may be a near-perfect form of transportation<\/a>: no emissions, no need to fill up, and a source of exercise and transportation. And while bikes aren’t nearly as expensive as cars, a durable model can get pricey… perhaps too pricey for some folks. Sure, it’s a matter of priorities for most us, but would you spend the hundreds (or thousands) of dollars required if you had access to a free bike?<\/p>\n Probably not… and, in a number of places around the world, a bike can cost you next to nothing. Let me qualify my use of “free” here: we’re talking about programs that provide you with a bike either temporarily, or permanently, for little or no monetary cost. That doesn’t mean “just come pick up a bike and ride away”… but it does mean spending significantly less than you would if you just went to a bike store and made a purchase, or even paid for a bike share.<\/p>\n So, why do these programs exist? In some cases, local governments want to encourage biking. In others, non-profit organizations want to give kids and adults the chance to earn a bike, and learn some new skills. Pretty much all of them encourage a sense of independence and self-sufficiency… exactly the feelings we all had when we first learned to ride a two-wheeler.<\/p>\n Take a look at our list… and let us know what we’ve missed on this front.<\/p>\n Testcyklisterna<\/a>:<\/strong> This new program in\u00a0Gothenburg, Sweden, first got me thinking about this concept. The city government really wants people biking, but realizes that many are a bit nervous about riding in traffic. So, for attending a training program to get you past those nerves, Testcyklisterna will give you a free bike on completion of the course. You also have to agree to not drive your car three days a week. (via takepart<\/a> and Good.is<\/a>)<\/p>\n St. Louis Bicycle Works<\/a>:<\/strong> Yep, we’re doing pretty well on this front here in the Lou’ (and in the state of Missouri… you’ll see): Bicycle Works (which used to be down the street from me) gives kids (and adults, in much more limited fashion) the opportunity to earn a bike by attending a five-week program.<\/p>\n A Bike for a Coffee:<\/strong> a bike-sharing system in the Czech city of Brno is tied to cafes – buy a coffee, and for about $16, you can also get access to a bike for the day (which you can drop off at any of the participating locations). (via Citylab<\/a> and Cleantechnica<\/a>)<\/p>\n Simsbury Free Bike<\/a>: <\/strong>This Connecticut-based multi-city non-profit runs a free bike share. There is a $10 deposit required, but that’s refundable upon return of the bike, helmet, and lock.<\/p>\n The RIT Free Bike Share<\/a>:<\/strong> Rochester Institute of Technology just kicked off its free bike share program in April (pictured above). Run by the student government, it operates as a “bike library”: students can check out a bike, and must return it within 24 hours.<\/p>\n8 Programs that Provide People with a (Mostly) Free Bike<\/h3>\n