The History of The Publik Bike Projekt and The Publik Bike Station
In 2010 the idea of the free use of bikes simmered in my brain and started with donated bikes from the Hutchinson Police Department. These bikes were painted, checked out by Harleys Bike Shop so they were in good shape, and left Downtown Hutchinson with a set of instructions. Ride safely and according to the laws, be courteous, wh
en done leave the bike where another person can use it. Some ended up missing in action, parts were found in peoples yards, and some made it back downtown for further use. When asked by the news what I thought about the bikes being 'stolen', I replied, "Can they be stolen if they are Publik Bikes to begin with?"
More and more donations were given over the years and then I thought it would be better if people could check out the bikes and return them to a 'station', and in 2013 began the movement for the Publik Bike Station. My dream was to equip the station with good quality bikes and helmets, maps of trails and bike friendly routes, and some paid people and/or volunteers to run the station. I applied for a grant, reached out to local organizations for support, and in the end raised half the funds to open. I had purchased the bikes and helmets. In 2014 wonderful self serve air and repair stations that were installed at the fire station, near the Hutchinson Zoo in Carey Park and downtown at Ave A Park. The Hutchinson Fire Department donated a space behind the downtown Fire Department on B Ave, and I couldn't get any more momentum. Further support just wasn't there. I felt defeated but the timing just wasn't right. I tried so hard for a few years as I knew Hutchinson could have had the very FIRST bike share in all of Kansas! This seemed the coolest part to the whole thing! Alas, I returned the funds to those who donated,I sold the bikes, gave away the helmets, and returned the space back to the Fire Department. I still hope one day the city of Hutchinson embraces bike culture and the bike share idea can resurface again!
