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Background: The city bike story, Jan. 27, 2005 
The city bike arrangement in Århus has been on its way for several years. From 1999 to 2001, the possibility of putting the task up for bidding was investigated. However, in 2002, a majority in the Århus City Council determined that the arrangement was to be a municipal project created as a cooperation between the Family and Employment Department of the Århus Municipal Authority, the 1st Division of the Municipal Authority and the Department of Technical Affairs, the 2nd Division of the Municipal Authority.
Photo: Councilwoman Lis Særkjær with a city bike 1995
Also with gears
After a round of bidding in 2004, the Municipality of Århus entered into an agreement with CIOS aps on 400 city bikes. The bikes are the same model as the ones that have been ridden in Copenhagen for more than 10 years. These bikes are specially developed for their purpose and they are quite robust. 160 of the bikes have gears since the geography in Århus is somewhat hilly. So far, it appears that the bikes with gears are functioning well and that they are not subject to greater wear and tear than the bikes without gears.
The city bike arrangement is an employment project
Thecity bikes arrived as an assembly set in Århus in January, 2005 and were assembled by unemployed individuals in employment projects. This assignment is solved by Labour Market Centre North in Risskov, which is also responsible for the ongoing maintenance and service of the city bike arrangement.
Experiences from the first year
The city bike arrangement was welcomed positively by the citizens who accepted the city bikes with such enthusiasm that we, in the city bike arrangement, had a hard time keeping up with the demand. Among the unemployed individuals who were occupied with the preparation and service, the arrangement was also popular. The occupation with the city bike project was considered meaningful and engaging.
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