Bay Area Bike Share may be gearing up for its launch next month, but I’m seeing little reminders that bike sharing isn’t exactly new here in Silicon Valley. Like this lovely blue Dutch-style bike that’s been parked at the Mountain View Caltrain station for the past few days. A quick glance at the chain guard gives away as a campus bike for Intuit, the software company that brought you Quicken and TurboTax.
Campus bikes are perfect for company sites that grow so big that walking between buildings is tedious but driving is silly. With 1800 employees at their bayside campus, Intuit is much smaller than its neighbor Google who has higher-profile bike sharing program. Like the Google bikes, Intuit bikes are built tough and practical for short trips by Republic Bikes. And like the Google bikes, they sometimes show up far from campus. I guess what’s good for getting across campus is good for getting across town. Good thing there aren’t any late fees.
Republic Bikes specializes in sturdy fleet bikes that can be easily and colorfully customized for your business.
-
- Like Bay Area Bike Share, Intuit bikes have a front basket to carry a purse or laptop bag and a bell for walkers.
-
- Both have chain cases to protect riders’ pants from chain grime and to keep the chain clean and damage-free.
-
- Unlike Bay Area Bike Share bikes, Intuit bikes don’t have lights, just reflectors. They must not work too late.
Location: Downtown Mountain View Caltrain Station, Evelyn Avenue near Castro Street.
