Think the Earth

A drop-off rental bicycle service, "bicing," is becoming increasing popular in Barcelona as a new eco-friendly public transportation, which produces zero gas emissions. The name "bicing" comes from "bici," which is short for "bicycle" in Spanish, the Airport code "BCN," which stands for Barcelona, and the English continuous tense, "-ing." The system is quite simple. When you get to the bicycle service station, you place your bicing membership card up against the screen attached to the column. Then you go to the bicycle, which has the same number that was displayed on the screen, unlock the bicycle, and ride. To return the bicycle, you simply place it in a spare slot at a station and then "clink," the bicycle locks into place automatically.

There are approximately 400 service stations all around the city of Barcelona, so you can find a bicing service station that is closer to your destination than subway stations and bus stops. This seems to be one of the main reasons why the service is gaining popularity. And what's more, it is eco friendly. In the 6 months since the service first began, the membership has grown to 90,000 and the service has successfully reduced 960 tons of CO2 emissions. Currently, more than 150,000 users have subscribed to the service, but the number of members continues to grow steadily.

The annual user fee is 30 euros (approximately 4,000 yen) and 1 euro (approximately 135 yen) per week. You have to return the bicycle within 2 hours, otherwise you will be charged a penalty of 3 euros per hour.

This service helps solve many problems - long staircases to and from the subway stations, transfers, crowds, long walks to and from bus stops, worries about gas emissions and lack of exercise. It is such a great idea I would like to recommend that other cities start offering such services too!