A New Bike-Sharing System for the City of Copenhagen

The Zurich-based architecture and design studio RAFAA submitted the “Bike Share System” project to a competition organised for last year’s International Climate Conference in Copenhagen. The system, designed by Rafael Schmidt, is a comprehensive proposal for an intervention in the centre of Copenhagen.

The “Bike Share System” is more than a means of transport. It is a way of managing the problem of how citizens flow and move around the city, and it adds value both for its users and for the city itself.

RAFAA proposes integrating the Bike Share System into the everyday running of the city. The bikes are fitted with GPS and W-Lan, so that the system can be informed of their location and usage status (for example: Is it in use? Where is it? Which way is it heading? Has this bike been reserved?).

They also act as sensors, reporting specific “behaviours” during use to the system, so that it can respond appropriately to each situation. To predict the system’s performance, all the vehicles exchange information with it. An internet platform analyses the different demands and manages any incompatibilities for each rental request. Personal data protection has been taken into account throughout the process.

To increase the share of people travelling by bike from 37% to 50% by 2015, it is estimated that at least 25,000 bikes will be needed, requiring at least 20,000 m2 of storage space.

Foreseeing the risk of Copenhagen’s streets, squares and stations becoming overcrowded with bikes, priority was given to minimising “visual pollution” wherever possible. At the same time, the aims were easy access and a user-friendly presentation of the system.

The proposal is developed on 3 scales: S, M and L.

Bike (Scale S)

Sometimes a system’s usability is not enough – appearance matters too. The outdated belief that you must own an object in order to use it has led to a form of “consumer fetishism”. This proposal aims to change that mindset among users. RAFAA’s design philosophy rests on the belief that there are unspoken design values, such as excellent service: it is not enough for the Bike Sharing System to be easy to manage; its users should also be able to enjoy the whole experience from beginning to end. Even if all the bikes look the same, the aim is for them to become “mobile homes” for their users on a daily basis, combining utility and elegance. Unlike other examples, the bikes of the Bike Sharing System are neither colourful nor ordinary in design. All of them meet one simple criterion, in order to persuade citizens and tourists to use them: they are better than their own bikes!

Emphasis has been placed on innovation. Each bike includes a computer with a display screen and built-in GPS and WLAN. The bikes are also equipped with an auxiliary electric motor and a 26V lithium battery, making them suitable for both short and long distances of up to 15km. The battery has a range of up to 50km and can be recharged at the stations.

The lightweight frame is a single piece, allowing for internal cabling. Most of the components are integrated into the frame to prevent wear and theft. For example, the LED lights cannot be detached, while the brakes, the dynamo and the 8-speed gear shifter are also integrated. Changing a tyre, however, can still be done easily.

Given the high cost of the bikes, extra precautions are taken when they are rented, and a debit or credit card is required at the rental stations. The card is charged only in the event of theft or damage. In addition, the GPS records any case in which a bike leaves the city limits. If necessary, the bike can even be “locked” through the electric drive mechanism.

How can a bike be used?

To use a bike, you must either register online or insert a credit or debit card into the dedicated slot on the bike.

The first 30 minutes are free. After that, the charge is 5 DKK per 30 minutes. The hourly rate increases proportionally, so that bikes keep circulating. There are stations throughout central Copenhagen, with no more than 300 metres between them at the furthest. At any time, you can check online how many bikes are available and at which stations. Users can sign up for an SMS service to be notified of availability, and those who also use the train can make a reservation 30 minutes in advance.

By using the Bike Share System, citizens earn points for using public transport, as well as discounts at various other cultural events.

Once personal settings have been entered into the system, they are saved and become available by logging in each time the system is used. In the Quick Start menu, users can choose between different usage options, such as tourist, regular user, and so on. Under “My Menu”, you can access music, audio news, bus timetables or the bike’s settings. You can also find a navigation system with various saved routes, which is particularly useful for tourists.

The rental stations

The stations are installed underground, to reduce visual pollution and to prevent piles of bikes from building up where they are located.

The bikes’ batteries are charged automatically when the bike is returned and locked into the docks, while information is exchanged through a plug-in system. Thanks to the card reader on the bike’s handlebars, there is no need for a check-in machine.