Wicked problem: Reducing the problem of abandoned bikes in The Hague

Startup in Residence
Wicked problem: Reducing the problem of abandoned bikes in The Hague

Startup in Residence

After a successful Startup in Residence program in San Francisco and Amsterdam, The Hague now also invites startups to come up with smart solutions for these ‘wicked’ urban problems. The municipality of The Hague has defined eight quests that need to be solved. Deadline for registration: July 4th.

Abandoned bikes

Many residents in The Hague stumble across mopeds and bikes which are parked for a long time and in many cases abandoned in residential areas. This is particularly the case in pre-war districts with limited public space, where it causes great irritation. In these districts, there is not enough room to park bicycles, while there is a great need to park bicycles outdoors. Bikes which are not used or abandoned add to the problem by occupying the few available spaces. This means that there is often no room in the bicycle racks and users are forced to park their bikes on the pavement. This creates (even more) obstacles for pedestrians on the pavement.

The municipality acknowledges the problem. However, based on current (bicycle) regulations in the General Municipal Ordinance for the municipality of The Hague (APV), the municipality can only remove a bike on three grounds:

-if these are not parked in designated bicycle parking facility in specific areas (the Grote Markt and the station areas);

– if they have been parked in a bicycle parking facility for longer than 7 days in a designated area;

– if the bike is a wreck (a bike that has not been maintained and could be dangerous).

These regulations do not solve the problem. Because in residential areas, there is (also) increasing inconvenience because bicycles are just left behind. For that reason, on 18 July 2013 a new regulation was introduced by amending article 5:12 of the APV (RIS260173). The municipal executive can now indicate certain areas where bicycles which have been left in the same location for longer than 28 consecutive days may be removed. These areas are Regentesse- en Valkenboskwartier (ReVa) and Zeeheldenkwartier.

Tackle the bicycle problem

Develop a practical instrument with which the municipality of The Hague can effectively tackle the bicycle problem.

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