Bikeshare is transit and as such needs the same attention
that rail and bus systems do to keep functioning properly as they age. As most
bikeshare systems around the world have launched this decade, many are needing
to replace equipment that is becoming outdated and performing less than
optimally after years of use and exposure to the elements. It’s not as exciting
to repair or replace a bikeshare station as it is to expand a network with a new
station, but in many ways it’s more important in order to maintain ridership
and happy customers.
It’s necessary to keep a bikeshare system in a “state of good repair” and stay ahead of
the curve so that the backlog of repairs doesn’t threaten your system’s
reliability in the future. A bikeshare system is in a state of good repair when system components are properly maintained
or replaced in accordance with industry standards. Customers don’t appreciate
broken docks that won’t accept the return of a bike or seats cracked so badly
that they’re not comfortable and soak up water when it rains only to get
customers wet on their next trip. Common equipment issues for stationary assets
are rust on the plates and docks; dysfunctional and/or unreadable kiosk
displays; and docks with locking mechanisms that have extended well past their
useful life and won’t accept a bike on a customer’s first attempt at the bike’s
return. If the quality of your bikeshare system decreases, customers will bail
from bikeshare to find a better functioning transport option to meet their
mobility needs. Therefore, keeping a bikeshare system well-maintained is key.
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| Seat conditions |
As stations age, it’s likely not necessary to replace the
entire station, but rather replace individual components that aren’t
functioning optimally. To determine what needs repair or replacement requires
knowing the condition of the equipment. To do this there are asset management
software tools, such as Survey123,
where one can program the needed fields in the app and then use a smartphone or
tablet while on-site at each station to enter the data. Fields should span
across each type of asset, including plates, map frame, kiosks, and docks. It will
take a decent amount of time, but regularly inspecting your system assets helps
you spot and address smaller issues before they grow to bigger and more
expensive and time-consuming problems.
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| photo credit: Aaron Goldbeck and Iryna Bondarenko, District Department of Transportation |
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| Rust |
Knowing the actual condition of equipment will allow
bikeshare operators and owners to replace components based on need rather than
age. While age is an important consideration, an older infrequently used dock
will last longer than a newer frequently used dock, all things being equal.
With this equipment condition data, one’s limited budget can be spent more
wisely.
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| Out of service dock |
We at MetroBike assist
clients with asset management to ensure longevity of their bikeshare
investment. Working with our clients, we develop a complete list of assets needing
condition evaluation, analyze assets on-site, report which assets need repair
or replacement, and help create a prioritization of replacement needs based on the
budget. Should your bikeshare organization need assistance with asset
management, you can reach us at hello @ metrobike.net.
