Ross is a Melbourne Bike Share (MBS) enthusiast with a record number of journeys made on the bikes which are the same (Bixi) model as London's 'Boris Bikes'. After seeing knuk's flash-mob video he contacted us asking about the possibility of setting up something similar in Melbourne. The operators of MBS have given their blessing and are even sourcing their own rollers for an event in September 2011.
Ross is our guest blogger today and he writes:
'Some people might think of me as a Bike Share nuts, and they wouldn't be far wrong. These days they're often on my mind. I live around the corner from one and use it daily. I installed the 'spotcycle' app to my phone, where I could look at other Bixi networks across the world and freaked out at the size of London's system. (BTW - How are the bikes holding up in light of the riots?)
I've lived in London, opposite Hyde Park for some time and then in Golders Green. The bikes weren't around then, now I see there is a docking point near Queensway station. A friend who was travelling with me at the time has recently finished a book: 'I am Max Lamm' by Raphael Brous. It's about social unrest in London, making it all the more topical right now.
The MBS (Melbourne Bike Share) crew have always been supportive, and I felt the knuk flash-mob was a cool idea that would get good publicity for MBS so I had no quarms in approaching the them. MBS are familiar with me, and they were relaxed towards the idea - even though some might see the knuk flash-mob as a good example of deliberate (mis) use of the public bikes.
Melbourne's scheme would seem to have taken a little longer to win over the hearts and minds of the people. A year since its introduction, people haven't (yet) taken to the public bikes en masse. Together with Melbourne cyclist Cadel Evans' Tour de France win, and current works by the City of Melbourne to make the Central Business District ever more cycle friendly now is the time to unleash a quality stunt to make people turn around and notice.
One of the largest stations in Melbourne is at Fed Square. Holding it there on Saturday afternoon would be ideal, the dates are yet to be finalised. Fed Square has a bay of 27 bikes, it could be tricky co-ordinating 27 people but it could work well. We'd probably need two instructors/trainers to run the session. What do you think?
Ross Cottee'
