More people are drawn to using bike sharing as a way to address climate change issues through lowering their own carbon footprint and participating in carbon offset programs. New software may help many bike-sharing programs become more economically viable – especially in an era when many municipalities are finding they lack the funds to adequately maintain them.
CityRyde, a Philadelphia-based bike-sharing concern, has announced that “the carbon methodology behind its revolutionary Inspire software has been validated under the Verified Carbon Standard, bringing to fruition the two-year development of a system that will energize bicycle sharing the world over.”
With Inspire, bike-sharing programs can track, certify and monetize carbon-offset credits gained through the use of their shared bicycles. The software turns bike rides into cash through the creation and sale of those credits, creating additional income for new bike sharing programs.
“This is a game changer – the entire bike-sharing industry is poised to take a major leap forward with the first validation of the Inspire methodology,” said Jason Meinzer, COO and co-founder of CityRyde. “Inspire brings a crucial new revenue stream to this budding industry, and we look forward to applying it to sustainable transportation projects of all kinds down the road.”
CityRyde developed the Inspire methodology to meet the rigorous standards of the VCS with key assistance from Dr. Jürg Grütter, an internationally recognized leader in matching transportation projects with carbon funding His company, Grütter Consulting, developed the methodology that allows the TransMilenio bus rapid transit system in Bogota, Colombia, to generate and sell carbon credits.
On its blog, CityRyde also reports that it has received an investment of $345,000 that will help support company operations as it brings the software to market.
“With more than 25 percent of greenhouse emissions in the U.S. coming directly from transportation, it has become increasingly important for commuters to recognize and reduce their carbon footprints. Since 2007, CityRyde has worked to spread the implementation of bike sharing both in the U.S. and abroad with the goal of reducing vehicle miles traveled – thus emissions as well,” writes Meinzer.
Related Reading:
- 4 Sustainable Reasons To Live In A Big City
- How To Make Shampoo With A Bike-Powered Blender
- Tips And Resources For Biking To Work
h/t Insteading
Photo via Dave Reid
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