The free bike sharing centers in Bucharest reopened last week-end in Herastrau, Tineretului and Izvor parks. This was part of a program called “I love velo”, which is promoting alternative ways of transport and a healthier life style. The first such centers were opened in May last year.

The program also runs in four other big Romanian cities: Iasi (April 6 - Rapa Galbena area), Cluj-Napoca (March 30 - Mihai Viteazu square), Brasov (April 2 - Eroilor boulevard) and Constanta (April 9 - Tabacariei Park). The “I love velo” centers will be open between 10,00 hours and 22,00 hours until November.

This year, those interested can also reserves bikes via the Internet HERE. In total, 1,100 bikes will be available in the free bike sharing outlets. Last year, a total of 200,000 Romanians chose to be bikers in their own cities, says Raluca Fiser, the President of the Green Revolution Association. “We hope that in 2011 the mayors of the five cities that are engaged in this project will take action so we can see the first major infrastructure projects for cyclists,” she added.

The free bicycle rental program, which is the first and the biggest of its kind in Romania, is organized by Green Revolution Association, together with Raiffeisen Bank and The Ministry of Environment and Forests. Bikes can be rented only based on the ID or passport and can be used for up to two hours.

Alex Camburu, alex.camburu@romania-insider.com

(In photo: Steven van Groningen, president of Raiffeisen Bank Romania, biking at the opening of the 'I Love Velo' program for 2011)