The White Bikes of the Hoge Veluwe National Park

Natali Villwock, Montana State University (2014)

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Abstract
Federal land managers in the United States, particularly within the National Park Service, are becoming more interested in providing opportunities for visitors to experience a unit without a private vehicle. Alternative modes of transportation can help park units address numerous challenges, including preserving the resources for present and future generations and enhancing the quality of the visitor experience. Therefore, one mode of travel that is receiving considerable attention is the bicycle, particularly various forms of bike sharing. De Hoge Veluwe National Park, in the Netherlands, has had a bike share system since 1975 which has evolved over time. Federal land managers may be particularly interested in this system because 1) the bikes are provided free of charge, 2) there are provisions for children, 3) the bikes are not used to advertise private businesses, and 4) it is good for the environment and health. This paper briefly reviews the evolution of bike sharing, summarizes studies related to bicycles and pedestrians in the context of federal lands, presents information about De Hoge Veluwe National Park, describes its white bike share program, and concludes with considerations for implementing a similar system by federal land managers in the United States.