At an airport of the future, after checking in and passing security, one grabs a small folding-style bicycle and enters highly visible bike lanes, which takes one quickly to the departure gate. Before the hours of sedentary position in the aircraft, it is the last chance to work one’s cardiovascular system.
Airport security officer on his work bike, cycling slowly at walking speed. Trudeau Airport, Dorval (near Montreal) 2008. Photo by HJEH Becker
Why not? A couple of years ago while I was sitting in the departure wing of the Montreal airport, a security officer was weaving his way through the crowd at “Schritttempo” or translated from German, walking speed.
So, why not carry this concept further? Why do people need to take the 5, 10 or 15 minutes to get to their departure gate on foot? Why not have the convenience of cycling to the gate? Then, on arrival at the next airport and after that long period of bodily inactivity, an opportunity would be available to get the blood moving by cycling to the baggage area.
Frankfurt airport employee cycling on work bike to move around more efficiently on the job. Germany July 2010. Photo by HJEH Becker
Now two years later as I was entering the Frankfurt Airport, there was a pool of folding bicycles by the entrance door. Inside the terminal, airport and airline staff were cycling through the departure area and the gate wings on their bicycles, doing their duties. This was not just a case of one staff person and a bicycle once in a while. There was constant traffic.
Now, let’s get the cycling activists involved. First, get some bike lanes defined on the aisles. Then it will be time to get the airports of the future to refocus people movement to facilitate cycling including ramps between the floors. Now, departure and arrival gates are set up so that incoming passengers can use the bicycles left at the gate by the outgoing
Airport employees on bike cycling to another work site. Frankfurt July 2010. Photo by HJEH Becker
customers. A bit of traffic management activity here. Also, tricycles may be more the right vehicle rather than a bike. This way, the one bag (ha ha) that one is allowed to carry on the airplane can be placed in the baggage tray at the back of the tricycle. Now, maybe electric tricycles are in order for those who need assistance within the airport.
The next step, obviously, is a bike share system usable by staff at the airport, as well as, the airline passengers. Now, this could become a user pay system. Then, once people see the advantage of using a bike share system. The next step is to set up a premium bike reservation system so that a bike is waiting for you.
Sounds unreal? Maybe it is or maybe these are next steps in using bicycles within commercial businesses. What about having a tricycle with carrier in the back or a folding bike pulling a shopping trailer while negotiating the kilometres of highways within those colossal shopping super stores?
If this were to occur, what I would find funny is to cycle to the airport, fold the bike and place it into its bag, check it with the airlines, and then borrow someone else’s bike to get to the gate.
First cycling for fun, then shopping, then commuting to work, then to carry on a commercial activity at a place of doing business. That is progress: expanding the usefulness of a marketable product.
Third Wave Cycling Blog 
Sounds a little bit eccentric but I love the idea of some bixi in the airport. If extended to passengers don’t you think it will eventually become a mess, with a lot of traffic and traffic agent that will make everbody even more nervous?
If it could work, I’d take the plane more often just to parade on two tires. Oh yeah and I would have to get rid of my heels too.
Nice pictures!
It’s an excellent idea, hibiscusjaune! We did see substantive bike parking lots at the Copenhagen airport. Not sure if they have bike share lot there since Copenhagen has a bike share program. But it would make alot sense for that city since it’s only 10 kms. from downtown Copenhagen to its airport.
It would certainly get around the challenge for tourists to identify and plan in advance, local bike rental shops when they visit a major city that already has cycling culture, local buses with bike racks and cycling infrastructure.
During the Winter Olympics, the Dutch consulate offered a free bike share program in the suburb, Richmond, BC. which is where Vancouver airport is located. I saw people on such bikes in downtown Vancouver. This means they cycled from near the airport. These were not racers, they were (healthy) seniors.
Have you used bixi in Montreal? What do you think? I tried the bike when the firm was showcasing it for a few weeks last year in Vancouver. For myself, I think I’m too wedded to my favourite personal bikes since they fit me and bixi is just abit big for me. It takes alot of time and searching to find bike frames that fit a small person like myself.
We will be releasing an article shortly that rates the cycling routes to the airports –internationally. Montreal is part of that list.
No I haven’t tried bixi. I found the rates quite high; you might as well buy a brand new bike. And yes, Bixi bikes are quite high. I guess it is re-adjustable but still, I don’t think I’d like to feel like I’m riding a horse.
I’d be curious to read your article about cycling routes to airports. I still can’t quite picture this interesting biking concept. I think for some cities like Amsterdam or The Hague, biking is part of the culture – which would make such a service sound almost natural. For other cities, they may have to educate citizens on the benefits of biking before implementing such system.
Is it an idea of yours or do you know if some officials or pressure groups are thinking of using this kind of service?
Perhaps you live in an area within the city that just simply isn’t practical for occasional use of bixi. Bike share systems serve different needs and certainly, long-term use is negated by high cost. Bike share system can be an extension of the local transit system. Especially if there is bike share system near some transit stations. It allows linear, one-way trips to the next “stop”. If there is a free time period, ie. lst half hr. it can help an occasional visitor or those uncertain about biking after a long hiatus. In Paris, France they found with the implementation of their bike share system, it actually spurred bike purchases / ownership.
Re- cycling routes to airports: Article will mention in general, existing routes for cyclists to and from different airports plus areas for route improvement.