Warsaw rental bicycles thefts and vandalism

Sharing bicycles in the high density urban areas - what a great idea!  If you've recently been to London, perhaps to enjoy the Olympics, you might have noticed Boris Bikes all over the town.  The Barclays Cycle Hire bike rental scheme which began in 2010, with Boris Johnson as London's mayor, was an instant hit.  Short history from Wikipedia:

BCH commenced operations in July 2010 with 5,000 bicycles and 315 docking stations distributed across the City of London and parts of eight London boroughs.^[10] The coverage zone spans approximately 17 square miles (44 km²), roughly matching the Zone 1 Travelcard area. Currently there are some 8,000 'Boris Bikes' and 570 docking stations in the BCH scheme, which has been used for more than 14 million journeys to date.

How does the system work?  You can register to receive a member key or just rent the bike with a plastic.  The best perk: first 30 min is free and the hour after, only £1!  The video explains how it's done.

The bikes had their share of vandalism, like the "F%&k" stickers placed right above the Barclay's logo, reading "F%&k Barclays".  The overall reception by Londoners, though, was favorable.

Similar bike-rental scheme called Veturilo, was launched in Warsaw just a month ago.  There are 1024 bikes and 57 rental stations in the major neighborhoods of Warsaw.  The bikes will operate between March and November.  

Finally, some great green idea for Warsaw and for the people.

However, after notorious thefts and vandalism totaling $15,000 in the first month, many question if Poles are ready for such advanced form of rentals.  Police is catching people riding the bikes after removing the banners and stickers even though the bikes have a very unique design are are easily recognizable.  

The repair crews have to replace parts, wheels, slashed tires, and even reconstruct whole bikes.  

Is this behaviour part of the culture or Poles just feel that any community property can be taken, read: stolen, without any consequences?   But wait, this is not community property.  Three companies shelled out a lot of money to launch this project.

The comments under the article describing the vandalism are merciless.  Those actions are, without a question, condemned.  Hopefully, the perpetrators will grow bored or be caught to stop this senseless acts.  Otherwise, whoever invested the money, will be taken for a ride.

Working the Poles and the polls

Visiting Poland to get the Polish-American votes?  Nice touch Mitt Romney.  Last week, invited by world-famous Solidarity leader and former Polish President Lech Walesa, presidential candidate Mitt Romney, his wife Ann, and son Josh, traveled to Gdansk and Warsaw.  Romney met with Lech Walesa, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, President Bronislaw Komorowski, and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski. 

By the way, most Poles don't realize that the last name of their president means an elephant's tooth.  That would explain his stabbing political agenda.

In general, the reception was very positive and warm.  Poles greeting Romney on the streets felt important and hopeful again after unfulfilled promises of President Obama.  Besides United Kingdom, Poland is the most loyal and steady ally of the United States in Europe.  

As for the political views, Poles still remember the influence and pressure on the Soviet Union from Ronald Reagan to end the communism in Eastern Europe.  Although the Polish transformation to a free market economy after 1989 was somehow rocky, overall, people are much better off then under the communist rule. 

We all know the visit was directed to Polish-American voters back at the States.  Large Polish diaspora cannot be ignored.  But it's a two way highway - Poles back at the States must mobilize and show up at the polls in great numbers, regardless of their political views.  Why bother to vote?  

Voter turnout is on the rise and out of about 60% voters, a slight majority of 31% or 1/3, will actually make a decision for the rest of the country.  Voter IDs laws and other ways to curb voter fraud will most likely have an impact on this election.

So how can you work the Poles at the polls?  What's important to an average Polish citizen?

1. Remove tourist visa requirements for Poland already - don't worry they won't flood US with mad carpentry skills and smuggle tons of vodka 

2. Polish forces are/were involved in Afghanistan and Iraq - promises of construction and supply contracts were never fulfilled - Poland needs some solid gestures

3. Install the missile defence system - Bush giveth, Obama taketh - well almost giveth, but Poles are convinced that EU/NATO alone won't be able to defend Poland from a sudden attack

What reception President Obama would receive?  I'm sure positive as well.  So all comes down to who can work the Poles at the polls the best.

EURO 2012 starts today!

EURO 2012 aka UEFA European Championship is starting today, in Poland and Ukraine, with an inauguration ceremony at the National Stadium (Stadion Narodowy) in Warsaw (Warszawa).  The ceremony will be followed by the first Group A match: Poland vs. Greece.  


Go Poland!  My score prediction is 2:1 for Poland.  Will see.


If you have an AT&T service, or whatever other service listed on the site, you can watch live feeds on the ESPN website.  This is a great way to follow this third largest sporting event in the world, right after the Olympics and FIFA World Cup.  


16 European teams in 4 groups will compete for the 2012 European Championship.  


Group A: Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech Republic
Group B: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal
Group C: Spain, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Croatia
Group D: Ukraine, Sweden, France, England


Poland and Ukraine completed an astonishing number of projects despite the worldwide recession and Euro financial troubles.  Even though Ukraine is not a member of EU, the country led to EURO 2012 to be organized together with Poland.  


Thank you for that Ukraine, Poles know about your commitment.


Despite some unfair reports from BBC and other Western media, Poland is ready for the challenge.  New roads, hotels, train stations, and above all, friendly Poles welcome all the teams and their fans with open arms.  Polish traditional bread and salt welcome was a huge hit and a surprise to many foreign teams.  Italian team was greeted at the Krakow airport, Irish team had a welcome ceremony in Sopot (near Gdansk). 


But the best welcome, not surprisingly since he was born in Poland, went to Lukas Podolski who plays for German team.  On June 4th, Podolski turned 27 so during the practice in Gdansk, 11,000 Polish fans sang the traditional Happy Birthday "100 lat" (live a hundred years).  Check out the video from the event.

If you are the lucky ticket holder, enjoy your time.  Thanks for visiting Poland!

No way! It's a highway!

Contrary to all of the negative press and constant rant of the opposition party, Law and Justice, Euro 2012 visitors will be able to drive to Warsaw on the newest Polish highway– A2. On Tuesday night (May 22nd), 7 kilometer part of the highway between Konotopa and Pruszkow was opened to the public. Take a look at the video. 

                                       Video: youtube.com

Remaining stretches are almost ready for the traffic and they will be opened for Euro 2012, although the work will complete in October 2012. For Poland, this is very exciting time. The country is getting new highways that will connect West and East and North and South. Even now, getting to Warsaw from Berlin by car is a very smooth ride.

Good job Poles. Keep those shovels digging and those bulldozers plowing.

UPDATE: On May 27th, another part of the A2 highway, section D, was completed.  It's a 18 km stretch connecting Grodzisk Mazowiecki and Pruszkow.  The general contractor, Strabag company, claims that they took a hit on the contract and had to spend additional money to complete the project.  In any case, besides some last minute details, motorists are using the road already.
ANOTHER UPDATE: On June 1st, section B was approved for usage.  The 17 km part connects Bolimowo and Hipolitowo.  It was built by consortium lead by Mostostal Warszawa.  Drivers are still waiting for a final go, but the road is read.
Still waiting for A and C!!!  You can make it!  Put some windex on it!

YET ANOTHER UPDATE: It's official: you can drive all the way from Berlin to Warsaw (Warszawa) on A2 motorway!  On June 7th, part A and C were opened to the public.
It was a huge undertake for Polish government to finish this project on time for Euro 2012.  But the great news is: the highway will be used by everyday Poles to quickly move around the country, which in itself, is a great accomplishment.  Fantastic job!!!

Anyone wants to comment?