Spotted by Prof Michael Batty, our director here at CASA, while in Bath at the weekend:
There is very little information on the scheme, on the Internet. As far as I can tell, it was announced as far back as 2008, the scheme is powered by Bicincitta (“Bike in City”) who run numerous small Italian schemes, and there is another (local) operator who is also trialling an automated electric bike scheme at the same time – probably useful considering Bath’s steep hills. The scheme appears to be a prototype and is funded by an EU project called Civitas. Local politics may have got in the way of the scheme’s rollout.
I don’t know whether the scheme has been and gone, whether it’s about to launch or whether it’s in operation now – although Mike didn’t spot any Bicincitta bikes, or indeed any other docking stations, while walking around the centre of the city. This page states that the scheme will start in “Spring 2011” with four stands and 35 bikes.
As far as I can tell there is no website for the scheme, let alone an online map showing where the bikes are. Bicincitta do have a website showing online maps for all their Italian schemes.
Bath’s got some more interesting cycling developments underway – the Two Tunnels project is progressing – eventually two long ex-rail tunnels will be opened for cycling, one of them over a mile long. This latter project at least will be a reason for me to visit Bath if it does open next year – on my own bike.
6 replies on “Bike in Bath”
I have been watching this closely and …… there were bikes in the bike stands this weekend (23rd September). But I cannot find any website /press release / announcement.
There’s a mention of the bike hire scheme in this article from January 2011:
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/New-shops-delivery-begins/story-11320454-detail/story.html
The EU/Civitas money is funding a lorry delivery scheme and a hybrid bus as well as the bike hire.
Thanks all – fingers crossed that it does happen later this summer.
Hi Oliver,
I’m vaguely involved in local cycle campaigning in Bath, and run the CycleBath twitter account – http://twitter.com/CycleBath
The Civitas project is in the process of being set up at the moment. I think it’s due to go live later this summer.
Re. the political manoeuvering: since the change of administration at the Guildhall (from Conservative to LibDem) in May, the Bath Transport Package has been radically altered; latest news is that it may be completely on the rocks:
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Bath-left-8216-Transport-strategy-8217/story-12884109-detail/story.html
The Bus Rapid Transit and Eastern P&R parts of the scheme were massively controversial, and I believe it’s right that they’ve been scrapped.
Hi,
I was pointed towards your post by my friend @frankieroberto. I live in Bath, and have seen at least 4 of (maybe 5) of the bike stations around town, however none of them yet do have bikes, and I’ve not heard anything in the local press about it either. Although I’m sure others will know more than me 🙂
Have asked some Bath-resident chums if they know any more…