Thanks to @Vanilla Jane for sending this article about an art project in Tenino, WA that turned into an experiment in public transportation.
I remember many, many years ago this was tried in Spokane, only it didn’t start out as an art installation, it was always aimed at getting people where they were going more efficiently. In our case, the bikes were painted purple (in keeping with the lilac city them) and, if I remember right, many of them mysteriously ended up in the river. That was either the late 80’s or early 90’s though so I’m wondering if community bikes would have a better reception now. Any thoughts?
It was sad they had to quit our purple bikes, but I guess the vandals won that one. I think it might go better now, but the vandals are still out there so it will take more good people watching out for those bikes.
I wonder if there has been enough of a change in the bike culture locally in the past few years to make something like this work again? If not, I think we're pretty close. But you're right @Charles, there are always going to be vandals out there that make projects like this a challenge.