In New Zealand
http://nextbike.co.nz/
Auckland business trainer and cycling enthusiast Julian Hulls has set up a European style bicycle hire company called Nextbikes, which has been operating since 2009 in Auckland, Whangarei, Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua with plans for further expansion to other centres.
Nextbike would like to make bikes more accessible for New Zealanders:
"Bikes are a clean, fast and enjoyable way of covering short distances, and Nextbike believes it can add low cost and easy to these benefits.
Public utility bikes, or metro bikes, have been around since the 70’s and are very popular in many European cities, where they are an established alternative to public transport.
These bikes will in time be part of the normal public transport available throughout New Zealand.
Nextbike New Zealand Limited is very pleased to be using technology and bikes from www.nextbike.de a leading provider of public utility bikes."
Web-page: http://nextbike.co.nz/
09 373 4590 , 132 Symonds Street, Auckland
Read this article from the NZ Herald Take a ride on your cellphone And in Taupo ?
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2010 January
The Gentle Cycling Company near Stoke, just south of Nelson, New Zealand
are hiring out Giant Comfort bikes with comfortable seats, drink bottle holders and a light box on the back for carrying your picnic or any bottles of wine you might purchase en route. The bikes have 7 gears which are a breeze to change (no complicated levers, just one dial on the handgrips) so even the least experienced cyclist will enjoy the ride.
http://www.gentlecycling.co.nz/
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Film maker Mike Rubbo from Avoca Beach , N.S.W. Australia looks at the effect the helmet laws may have on proposed bike-sharing in Melbourne in one of his excellent little films (available on YouTube )
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In Germany .
Nextbikes,the new bicycle-rental-system
http://nextbike.de/en#so_gehts
The nextbikes stand conspicuously at the main train stations, pedestrian zones and other vibrant spots in the city. You only have to make a short phone call for renting a bike. Then open the lock with the current cobination you got and hit the road!
For using a nextbike you only have to make an one-time free registration.
How it works:
Rental
To rent a nextbike just call the hotline +49 341 2238396
A computervoice asks you for the number of the bike you want to rent. After entering the number into your mobile phone you get the code to open the lock.
Please be mindful of having the calling-number-transmission activatad.
Return
The bikes should be returned to a well visible place. Block the back wheel with the lock and shift the numbers. After that call the hotline +49 341 2238396 and tell us the return-adress, if necessary.
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In France
Vélib’ is a Self Service “bike hire” system available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Multi pick up and drop off location allows you to pick up your bike from one service point and drop off to another.
... En savoir plus
The Vélib’ Service Points are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It is located 300 meters apart, consisting of terminals and stands for fastening the bikes.... En savoir plus
Vélib’ has made several thousand bikes available. And your comfort and safety are guaranteed on every one of them.... En savoir plus
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In the Netherlands
What's a Bikedispenser?
A Bikedispenser is a fully automated bicycle rental station. This means that at locations where you would like to have or use a bike such as a train station, transportation hub or parking garage, you can rent a bike very easily, quickly and simply. For architects or urban planners, the Bikedispenser meets the need to store a substantial number of bikes (50-100) in a compact and safe environment. The technology of the Bikedispenser also enables underground installation upon specification.
By holding your (OV)chipcard near to the reader, you start the process of renting a bicycle within 15 seconds. When you return the bike, the system will recognize the user and complete the transaction. The bicycle will disappear in the clearly indicated depository and will be stored in a safe and indoor location while you are already on your way and in time for your next train. Please view the animation at 'How it works' to see how it works.
In the near future, you will see Bikedispensers at public transportation hubs, major stops, parking garages and transfer stops. On a longer timeline, you might also see Bikedispensers in places such as residential areas and amusement parks. The concept of the Bikedispenser is that mobile people can use a bicycle wherever they are.
http://www.bikedispenser.com/home-english.html
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