Public transportation in large cities is commonplace, but many citizens understand that there is a much faster way to get around, by bicycle. Because of this many cities around the world have begun taking cues from Copenhagen and improving their accessibility to ride bicycles in the city and provide public usage of bikes. Some problems with cycling in the city include storage, safety, and maintenance. This can all be solved with the implementation of a city-wide bike sharing program. The most successful programs are not simply city-funded bike rentals, they are complete transportation systems involving analysis of traffic patterns and the initiative to make big changes to the existing infrastructure if needed. The intangible outcomes of the bike-sharing programs include improved health through exercise, improved air quality, fewer cars with less time spent looking for parking spaces, and reduced noise pollution. With all these elements already in place, Copenhagen has begun to improve other areas of its citizens lives. They are now seeking to provide the city with 20% organic food and are taking on the goal of becoming the cleanest city in Europe and the world.
With cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Beijing all recently introducing improved bike-sharing programs, Copenhagen has opened up a design competition to improve upon their currently outdating system. They're seeking to provide an attractive product for the city's guests that is easily integrated and implemented in the existing city.
A link to the competition page: http://www.cphbikeshare.com/default.aspx
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