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Paris is the only city with a bike share program for children. In June of 2014, Paris placed 300 children's bikes along 5 stops along multi-use paths and parks, with plans to install more over time.
Bike sharing programs for children are obviously serving a different purpose than bike share programs for adults. While adults most likely use bike share programs for transportation- commuting to work, running errands, etc- children don't need to make it to work on time or fill the fridge. Instead, Paris Vélib’ aims more to create an active system of urban engagement. Children under ten, the demographic Vélib’ is targeting, are still developing cognitive maps of their environments. Having access to a bike means they have a way to explore and experience more of their city. This access improves overall cognitive development, and instills a preference for active transportation early in the child's life. This system also has the tertiary effect of getting the child's parent(s) on a bike and actively engaging with a city.
Complaints about the program primarily consist of parent's concerns for safety, and the practicalities of giving a child their own bike instead of allowing children to be carried on an adult bike. This complaint is not new, or unique to Paris. This parent in Washington D.C. created a children's seat that can easily be attached to the bike, and received praise en mass for his invention. Shortly after he began selling the seats he was required to cease and desist making them, as they were in violation of bike share rules and regulations. Solutions such as this would allow for easier family commuting trips, as opposed to the adult individual. But concerns over safety and liability have stunted the movement.
One also has to wonder about the practicality of a children's bike share system. While the cognitive benefits are undeniable, the return on investment likely isn't profitable. And with transportation funding perpetually lacking, one also has to ask if this is the best use of transportation funding that could go towards supporting or maintaining existing transit systems- for example, the bus system that allows low income people to get to work.
Where should cities be investing their transit money? Would you utilize a bike sharing program for your child? What do you think about the practicality of a project such as this?
Wow this is really neat! It's exciting to see how funding for transportation can go beyond simply improving infrastructure but also nurture a more bike-friendly future. It's so creative of Paris to target the children. I agree, it's different from targeting adults who use bikes with an urgency to get somewhere but with children the value in the bikeshare is in its ability to nurture their active habits and to encourage their exploration of the city. And when children bike, their parents bike!
ReplyDeleteThere is the question of whether this is a worthwhile investment, but the practicality of the project cannot truly be determined until the children grow older. Nonetheless, the higher presence of children on the streets will encourage more safety infrastructure for bikes. Overall, it is a great step away from the auto-dependent culture towards a world where children can travel more independently and actively.