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Why Shifting Mobility? |
Shifting Mobility has designed and perfected a model for bicycle libraries that fits the needs of universities, businesses, and communities. A bicycle library is just what it sounds like: a service that allows people to borrow bicycles just as easily as they can get books at a public library. Our approach is proven. We can guide you from start to finish, from initial evaluation of your needs all the way up to opening day and beyond. With our comprehensive range of services we are eager to work with you no matter what stage you are at in the development of your program.
What sets us apart from other bicycle lending models is our adherence to our three founding principles: providing the highest quality user experience, maximizing administrative simplicity, and ensuring long-term program viability.
User Experience
A bicycle library relies on the patronage of its users in order to justify its existence and measure its success. At the University of Rochester, we conducted user surveys and worked with recreation center staff to know how students use bicycle libraries. We chose equipment and designed the borrowing process with the goal of making the user experience as simple and enjoyable as possible. The result? Lines form in Rochester so people can borrow bikes as soon as they're available. The program has reached 10% of that undergraduate population, with new users signing up every week.
Administrative Simplicity
The concept of lending bikes is always attractive in principle, but like any other service, there is a cost in time and resources that must be weighed. When compared to other recreational and transportation services, bicycle libraries are very inexpensive to establish. Instead, the hassles of everyday operation are often what makes administrators wary. Knowing this, we developed a software system for tracking equipment loans that's specially geared to the needs of bicycle libraries. It takes care of the day-to-day basics, allowing administrators to stay focused on the big picture.
Long-Term Viability
Maintaining a bicycle library year after year requires a long-term outlook in regards to equipment costs and user interest. Shifting Mobility has you covered on both fronts. One, we've road-tested over a dozen models of bicycles to determine which ones provide the best value and are capable of withstanding the unique demands of fleet use. And two, our software system assists you in tracking and predicting user behavior. With our help, you can have a strong bearing on long-term costs and user patterns before you buy your first bike.
All told, we have seven years of combined experience in establishing, refining, and perfecting a bicycle library and we’re ready to put our knowledge to work for you.