Student Work, 2009: Bike'Topia

Bike'Topia:
From the course: Sustainability Studio, taught by Nathan Shedroff and Susan Gladwin

Adam Dole
Beth Berrean
Henry Liu
Jason Hui
Sara Kozlowski
Ayano Hattori

Bike'topia is a premiere, privatized, easy to access bicycle sharing program to begin in San Francisco and grow to other cities. Its goal is to facilitate more everyday bicycle riding by providing bicycles to SF residents and those commuting or visiting the CIty from other parts of the Bay Area. Bike'topia aims to make it easier for our customers to choose cycling as their preferred means of transportation by providing a convenient and affordable alternative to cars. Bicycles are the most efficient way of transport - especially for distances of 5 miles and less - perfect for urban areas This system is designed to human powered transportation, making errand-running easy, accessible and downright cool. Bike'topia's vision is a pedal for every citizen; and our mission is to become the preferred cycle sharing program of the Bay Area by offering more bikes in more areas in all shapes and sizes with self-service and rewards.

Bike'topia moves people in more ways than one! :

• Provide urban areas with easy, convenient, and affordable access to bicycle travel.
• Create a healthier lifestyle
• Reduce the amount of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere in multiple and systematic ways
• ncreases support to local businesses and the buy local movement
• Make the benefits of bicycling safely transparent

Our core offering is easy bike rental at strategically located stations all over San Francisco. Initially the bikes offered will be our basic bicycles by the hour. As the company grows, Bike'topia will offer premiere bicycles to their basic bike menu. The self-service kiosk is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Memberships include a discount on hourly rates and include bicycle liability insurance (for lost or theft.) The coverage is adjusted according to years of membership..

The bike menu allows options to choose a variety of wheels for a spin as well as accessories. Choose from a state of the art hi tech roadster or a sturdy commuter, from cargo bikes for shopping to trailer bikes for family outings. Premiere bikes will have special tracking devices, allowing the bikes to be reserved in advance for our members. Foldable helmets, locks and light gear will be available for purchase.



Bicycles
Bike'topia makes every effort to make each aspect of the products and services of the company more sustainable, and this includes the bikes. The core basic bicycles we offer in mass use the latest technologies for durability. The bikes are chainless and have airless tires which reduce the amount of breakdowns significantly for our users, and reduces general maintenance needed on a regular basis and the environmental impact from those activities.

Stations
High traffic Bike'topia locations feature a unique retrieval system capable of delivering a bicycle to the user from sub-level or elevated storage, allowing bicycle parking as an offer to our community cyclist After selecting a bike and swiping payment, the patented proprietary Bike'topia pedal will be dispensed for the rider. The pedal is attached to the bike by the user, used much similar to a key for cars. The bicycle is returned to any bike station, and the pedal is returned back to the kiosk for the next user.

The Pedal
After selecting a bike and swiping payment, a pedal featuring RFID technology is dispensed. The technology is used for tracking bicycles usage and for user metrics to encourage bicycling and route tracking, and is powered solely through kinetic energy. This in turn also supports part of our contextual and radial advertising. The detachable aspect of the pedal also aids as a theft deterrent for bicycles. ..



Website
The Bike'topia web site will guide new users to the services available, as well as provide useful information for our members. It includes a running meter of the miles the community and individual members has ridden, pounds carbon dioxide emissions saved, and finally, calories burned. Incentives will also be offered by our advertisers as promotions. The website also offers a social component for peer recognition, route sharing and advise.