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BikeSurfBerlin is it not for profit project gives people the opportunity to
borrow a bike and experience Berlin from the saddle.
It reduces the obstacles to cycling and allows people to experience the practicality, enjoyment
and health benefits of cycling in a city environment.
This is a project we started about seven months ago
and it allows CouchSurfers or really anybody
to borrow our bikes for up to about a month for free.
BikeSurfBerlin functions off the generosity and donations of all different types:
parts, money and even full bikes are donated to the cause.
I came to Berlin just looking for a slightly alternative lifestyle.
My first few days here, I was without a bike and saw what price rental bikes were
and i thought and there must be a better system than this.
Let's just try this project, let's see if the works.
Let's build that so that is open source so that everyone else can use it,
making sure that all the applications and other things are freely accessible on the web.
Let's make sure it's user friendly and let's make sure that the bikes are up to standard.
When they gave me a bike, I was so impressed with that, as is such a life saver.
In Berlin, public transport is very complex than beginning and expensive.
Vincent is a qualified bike mechanic
and he has a lot of skills of bikes that none of the rest of us have.
The nice thing about fixing bikes is that, it is not just about fixing them,
but teaching people how to fix their own bikes.
To be able to fix your mode of transport, to get around with:
I get a lot out of that (sincere nod).
The team at BikeSurfBerlin work hard to ensure that each bike is checked regularly
and is ready for your next ride.
The practicalities of it are that people check out our website.
From there you can go to the BikeSurf request form.
Then just plug in their details of what kind of bike they want
and then we process the request.
So, the next time you need a bike in Berlin,
simply send us a request and we will connect you with one of our unique bikes.
Meet Sara Sunshine. She sent us a request to spend three days with our charismatic bike: Claudia.
A simple check of her email and the combination of the bike is hers.
I didn't really envision it as being a social group
but after a while it was not only the BikeSurfBerlin members but also
the people who are actually coming through our doors, the people who were
surfing with us and all coming with a different story.
At BikeSurfBerlin, we believe the best way to explore Berlin is by bike
and we strive to expand our community.
We want our project to grow so that anyone who actually needs a bike can get one.
The idea of the movement is not just to have this happening in Berlin.
A lot of people might be thinking of setting up a similar system in another city might think
it cost too much in time, it costs too much money,
and the system will never work.
It's not going to work in my particular city because of rain, lack of cycle lanes and whatever.
So the idea of the project is to lower those barriers to entry for other people.
We had two bikes initally
but we thought that in time we might get some bikes or we might buy some.
Not only do we now have fourteen bikes, with two currently being repaired,
but eight or nine active members.
To date, over a hundred and fifty people have used our service
The system is solely based on trust.
Originally we thought that within a few weeks all our bikes would be stolen,
but all our bikes have been returned to us.
We also welcome any donations you were able to give.
You can visit our blog to donate now or find us at www.betterplace.org.
If you have any spare parts or bikes taking up space in your house,
we promise to share your contributions with everyone who uses our service.
I've always realised when you do volunteer work or you do things for people who are into mutual aid,
you always get way more back than you put in.
The vision is to have an umbrella website (bikesurf.org) and BikeSurfBerlin
will only be one small part of this website.
Let's keep our community flowing and explore what this great city has to offer.
BikeSurfBerlin thanks you in advance for your contribution to our project.
With a bike you can you healthy and at the same time saving the planet,
which is a nice combination.
The ecological thing is very important and attracts me to it,
but also the kind of mutual aid or understanding when you when you meet
people that are into cycling. It is usually a conscious choice to be a cyclist these days.
Your first BikeSurfBerlin bike?
Yep!
Excited? Yes, very excited, even if it is snowing outside!
Two wheels good, free wheels better.
See you on the street.
Borrow a bike today with BikeSurfBerlin. (balkan music)