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It is good news to hear that OYBike, a pioneer in bike-sharing, will continue in Cardiff although usage of the system has been worse than disappointing. It was reported in Transport Extra that *only 1,500 trips were made in the first year*, thus each of the 70 bikes was only hired twice each month. OYBike is expanding to 100 bikes at 17 locations, including to a university campus and a nearby student halls of residence, but this is unlikely to change its fortunes. It is clear that changes need to be made in order that OYBike does not limp through another year and into oblivion in 2011. OyBike needs to decide whether it is (1) a bike-sharing scheme, in which case it needs to quickly increase its number of locations, (2) a bike-hire scheme, in which case it needs to improve on its customer interface as it is not the easiest system to understand, or (3) a “public-transport bicycle”, in which case it needs to change its pricing structure. Cardiff Council have said that they are working with OYBike to improve the communication materials, and some hire terminals have been given a facelift, and some bikes have had a paper map and instructions for use placed in their basket (although these tend to get wet and lost and look at best “cheap”). What is needed are large signs, or at the very least portable A-frame pavement signs, at key OYBike locations – particularly at the excellent location at Central Station. The bicycle itself is functional, although its appearance may have a negative impact on potential users. Cycling levels are low in Cardiff, despite the topography and climate being very favourable for cycling. Reasons for the success of the Velib in Paris include: in the run up to the launch the city investing in an infrastructure of cycle paths so that novice cyclists could cycle separated from motorised traffic and thus feel safe, good signage, and that on the launch day, there was a large, usable network. OYbike had none of this support. If I was running the OYBike scheme, as well as placing signage and advertising, I would switch to operating it as a “public-transport bicycle” system by halving the current subscription rates and offering a day’s use for about £2 – which would be payable using the new Cardiff Bus IFF smart card. To see OYBike in Cardiff for yourself: http://picasaweb.google.com/ianenvironmental/CardiffOYBike2010#slideshow/5535107440321094034 Ian