Arizona Daily Star
Nov 15, 1995
Climb on and go: Orange bicycles provide mobility if you can find one
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Summary: Describes the Orange Bike Program, following one orange bike around town as it gets 6 rides in 4.5 hours. Program started September 22 with 30 bikes. Each bike has a name. About 3 to 6 more bikes added each week (54 of them at time of article). Bikes repaired at Bootstraps to Share, painted orange by Sheib Paint & Body. Thomas Landry of Bootstraps to Share is quoted saying, "We are providing a source of transportation for people who would otherwise go by foot." And, "I liken it to the release of a spotted owl or some other endangered animal out into the wilderness." And, "You have to cultivate these bikes in the community as if they were an endangered species that has to be respected and increased in numbers." On the downside, article mentions that most of the original 30 bicycles can no longer be found, having "dispersed" into the community and not being returned to major streets for use by someone else, in the words of Thomas Landry, who says something that's free can't be stolen.