Ikea Tests Bike-Share in Denmark. Why Not NYC?
Responding to yesterday's post on Ikea shuttle buses causing a stir in Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens, Streetsblog commenter Lee Watkins reminds us of the company's Danish bike-share program. As previously noted here, Copenhagenize has the scoop:
IKEA of Denmark is now starting a new concept at their Danish stores. They did a bit of market research and found that roughly 20% of their customers rode their bikes to the stores - even though most of them are located outside the cities in large commerical centres - some call them Big Box Districts - which are located outside the city centre.
IKEA has invested in Velorbis bikes, at a couple of their stores, that will pull trailers so that customers can ride home with the new purchases.
According to Copenhagenize, two Ikea stores outside the city -- one of them located 12 miles away -- feature bikes and trailers for rent. The Velorbis web site says the bikes are offered for use at no cost (Treehugger puts the deposit at $100 US). As remote as many New Yorkers may consider Red Hook to be, it isn't exactly a suburb, yet Ikea chose to make room for 1,400+ cars there while forgoing bike accommodations altogether. What gives?
If it works in Denmark, Ikea will reportedly be exporting its bike rental program to other countries. Let's hope Brooklyn is considered urban enough for the company to give it a try here in the States. (Confidential to Ikea: these folks would probably be happy to hear from you.)
Photo: Velorbis
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog New York City
Eyes On The Street: Coastal Resiliency Causes Mess For Pedestrians and Cyclists
Unfortunately for cyclists and pedestrians, this situation won't be fixed until "at least 2026.”
State Pols Still Haven’t Spent Millions Alloted for Transit as Congestion Pricing Looms
There's like $45 million sitting there — unspent — for outer borough transit improvements. What are state pols waiting for?
Supporters, Mayor Rally for ‘City of Yes’ Zoning Change as it Enters Public Review Phase
The mayor's signature zoning plan is ready for review by all 59 community board, plus the city's five borough presidents and then each Council member. Advocates are worried it will be watered down.
‘Buy, Bully, Bamboozle’: Report Alleges App Companies Threaten Democracy
App delivery companies seek to block worker-led improvements by spending big money on political influence, leveraging their data, and even co-opting progressive language, argues a new report that lands days before a national one-day strike by app-workers.
