Public Sector Bike Hire
n recent years, journeys by bicycle have increased by a substantial degree. This has been fuelled by central and local government trying to get more people onto bicycles to ease road congestion, reduce carbon emissions and improve the nation’s health, and by mostly urban populations cycling to and from work to slash travel costs and journey times. Part of this trend includes the proliferation of bike hire schemes, notably the so-called Boris Bike project in London, sponsored by a major bank. Many other public sector organisations are either implementing or planning similar initiatives, often aided by government grants. The downside of this type of automated scheme is the cost of installation and poor return on investment (RoI). In most cases, it involves placing bike hire stands in valuable space that would otherwise be used for car parking. It also requires substantial groundworks and laying-in of cables for IT-based control and billing systems. Then there is the ongoing cost of maintenance and repair. A drawback for the cyclist is that a non-folding bike cannot easily be taken on public transport, certainly not at peak travel times. A new scheme that comprehensively addresses the above issues and offers many other business benefits has been launched by the makers of the popular and sturdy Brompton folding bike. Already purchased by several boroughs, universities and an NHS hospital, the concept is based on hiring Bromptons from a modular, unmanned docking system. Folding bikes, especially ones as compact as the Brompton, are attractive
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to many because they can be folded up and taken on public transport at peak times, occupy little storage space at home, in the office or car boot, and they open up new travel options that would be impractical with a heavy, large-wheeled bike. The docks, constructed from durable stainless steel, are available in 10-, 20- or 40-bay configurations. The largest dock fits well within a standard car parking space, a storage feature that is impossible to achieve in the case of larger bicycles. Depending on its location, a dock’s operating system may be run on solar power, or mains electricity. Clearly, the former increases the dock’s ‘green’ credentials and supports sustainability policies. A dock may also be re-located at little cost (no groundworks) and being modular, increased in size whenever required. After first joining online, if a member of the scheme wants to take out or return a Brompton, he or she uses their mobile phone and text messaging to open a bay door via a keypad on the dock. It is a simple system. Charges for hire are automatically deducted from the credit card account the member uses to register. Unless it is a closed or private scheme, a bike may be returned to any dock, anywhere in the country. If the scheme is straightforward for the member, it is equally so for the organisation – the partner – that buys the hire system. That is all the partner has to do: buy the system and take a share of hire revenues. Brompton Dock, the company behind the scheme,
Special Feature
A number of facilities managers in public sector organisations have implemented a bike hire scheme that offers unique benefits. In comparison to conventional schemes and managed by its supplier, it costs less to purchase, install and maintain; exploits the advantages of a folding bike; is space-saving and adds value to the community. By Harry Scrope MRICS, Managing Director, Brompton Dock Ltd
takes care of installation, membership administration, hire charges, bike and dock maintenance, help-desk provision, and final decommissioning. It is an all-embracing service from one outsourced supplier. In effect, the partner gains a complete hire scheme, without all the distracting demands of managing it.
Added to this, the partner may choose to subsidise the hiring of Brompton folding bikes, rather than charge for use. To reduce the cost of providing buses to transport students between campus sites, a university has invested in a number of Brompton Docks and encourages use of the bikes by offering free hire. The system is only open to students, not the general public. Whether it is private or open, the number of bikes in a dock may be increased beyond its physical capacity. To expand use or revenue from hire, bays that are empty (because bikes are out on hire) may be filled with spare bikes. The real-time system controlling the hire process is so accurate that hourly use may be monitored and potential opportunities identified for adjusting capacity. Thus, with either one or several, Brompton Dock lets local authorities (or private developers) boost the number of bikes for hire and consequently increase revenue generation. The rapidly expanding network currently comprises thirty-five docks located in more than fifteen towns and cities throughout the UK. Besides local authorities, universities and the NHS, existing partners include train operating companies and national private sector corporations. The company is exploring partnerships with residential, office and leisure developers. Brompton Dock is of particular interest to this sector, where developers have to fulfil Section 106 obligations in relation to cycle provision. Summing up, with its novel feature of a folding bicycle, consequent space saving benefits and compelling attraction to the community, the Brompton Dock bike hire scheme offers the public sector a great many opportunities. More to the point, it helps facilities managers introduce a cycle hire scheme that is ‘green’, highly competitive and proven.
www.bromptondock.co.uk
Building & Facilities Management – June 2014 special feature 19
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