Checkout Missoula Summary

Run 1 (October 98): 30 bikes at small hut in parking garage on campus, run by 12 Volunteers, open 10am to 4pm weekdays.

Forty-four different people checked out a free bike seventy different times.

Run 2 (7/14- 8/13 99): 22 bikes in front of UC on campus, run by info desk staff.

Forty- Six checkouts averaging 9 days out each time.

General reasons given for needing a checkout bike:

-personal bike or car broken down
-did not want to lose current parking space
-a walker wanted more mobility
-visitor to town needed transport
-fenders and/or a basket was needed
-cruiser style bicycle preferred at the moment
-curious about program
-new resident, needed transport
-compliment bus service and ride share

Program Benefits:

-new low cost transport option came to light
-some vehicle miles were replaced with bicycle miles
-the vehicle trips that were replaced were the shorter, most inefficient and most polluting trips
-a relationship emerged that suggests a public bicycle program can strengthen other transport options
-awareness was raised regarding cycling as a form of transport
-a 'sense of community' started to develop at the checkout location
-many of the program users were very grateful for this service

Observations:

-an upright riding position is preferred
-baskets, fenders, a bell, and other commuting amenities were very appreciated when available
-all but one participant declined the offer of a free helmet to borrow.
-in general, the longer we said people could borrow a bike, the longer they kept the bike
-most people returned the bike on time, some were tardy, and a few were blatantly delinquent. This reflected a lenient checkout procedure: sign your name, phone number, bike number, and expected return time (no I.D. required- based on trust for run 1, ID needed for run 2)

Recommendations:

Build a cycle hub at the parking garage on campus. Have 200 bikes available for students to sign out with griz card. Buy new hybrid town bikes for around $150 each. Include landscaping, art, valet bike parking, guided summer tours, complete tool setup, maps and literature. Maybe include wholesale parts and tea. Have a checkout bike for each of the 400 foreign students. Give away 200 checkout bikes to local non-profits. Locate another 200 bikes at citywide locations.