Ecovolis

Ecovolis
Overview
Locale	Tirana
Transit type	Bicycle-sharing system
Website	ecovolis.al
Operation
Began operation	March 22, 2011; 13 years ago (2011-03-22)

Ecovolis (a portmanteau of Eco (from Greek: οἶκος, "house"; -λογία, "study of") and volō: from Latin [English: fly]) was a community based bike sharing program in Tirana, Albania,^[1] launched on March 22, 2011 (2011-03-22), from an environmental NGO called Social Stimulating Alternatives Program (PASS).^[2][3] The system was based on 6 bike stations, respectively staffed by two employees in two shifts.^[4] During its time, the Ecovolis program was successful in increasing bicycle use in Tirana.

History

Initially the Tirana Community Bicycle Albania project was supported from PASS organization and the US-based Pedal for Progress organization, which donated 450 bicycles. Sixty of these were used road bikes, which were modified and painted by local technicians to serve as public bikes in the Ecovolis scheme.

In 2014, Ecovolis participated in European Mobility Week.^[5]

System

Each Ecovolis station was staffed by two employees in two shifts and contains 30 – 60 bicycles. As of 2014, four stations were in operation in Tirana, and about 2000 people were subscribed.^[6] In order to use the bicycles, it was required to provide a personal identification document (such as a passport or an ID card) or to subscribe to the Ecovolis membership card. Bicycles were equipped with a front bicycle basket, a behind carrier, a comfortable saddle and a public fender with the Ecovolis sign. The bicycle stations also provided touristic information to the visitors and a list of the city's main attractions. Being a non-profit social enterprise, the program sometimes offered free bicycle service, cycling courses, donations of bicycles and helmets for children in need, bike tours and a bicycle recycle program.

Payment

The program operated in two ways: through membership subscription or a personal identification document (such as passport or ID card). Individuals registered with the program identify themselves with the Ecovolis membership card at any bicycle station. For visitors, the cost was about $1.00 per day.^[7] In 2014, Ecovolis allowed users at some of its kiosks to earn credit towards free bicycles use by returning metal cans for recycling.^[8]

Theft and Vandalism

From March 22, 2011, when the Ecovolis initiative begun, 80 bicycles have not been returned or have been stolen since this year, i.e. an average 10 bicycles per month or 2.5 a week. During three different phases, the bicycles have been replaced and added to the stations.

References

1. "Critical Mass Tirana: a due ruote contro il presente ita". Nicola Pedrazzi, Osservatorio balcane e caucaso.
2. "Te fluturosh me biciklete ne Tirane". shqiperia.com.
3. "Karta identiteti të rreme për të vjedhur biçikletat e Ecovolis". shqiperia.com.
4. TRAFIK! Pushtimi i Tiranës nga automjetet (dhe si të çlirohemi). Published by "Dita 2000". 30 June 2010. pp. 123–. ISBN 978-9928-4044-9-7.^{[permanent dead link]}
5. [European Mobility Week 2014 European Mobility Week Opens: Our Streets, Our Choice"]. Low Carbon Sustainable Homeland.
6. "Tirana fights to beat its addiction to cars and get its residents cycling" The Guardian.
7. "3 Dangerous Places Worth Visiting". Student Travel Planning Guide.
8. "Riciklo dhe pedalo ca kohë falas!" Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. Shekulu. Florenc Stafa 12 Tetor 2014,

External links

• http://www.ecovolis.al/ Archived 2021-11-08 at the Wayback Machine
• http://www.pass-al.org/ecovolis.html Archived 2017-06-27 at the Wayback Machine