# Why does station maintenance matter?

Recent problems with the **supply of parts** as well as the **limits of certain mineral resources** are pushing bike share system operators to find solutions to increase the lifespan of their equipment. In this article, Qucit discusses the **importance of station maintenance** to the successful operation of a bike share system.

## **What has been the source of the bike share supply problems in recent months?**

Supply issues for bike share systems were a hot topic during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the explosion of cycling as a mode of transportation. Indeed, the pandemic caused **disruptions** in the **global supply chain**, which had a significant impact on the production and distribution of bikes and stations. The **closure of manufacturing plants** in China and the **restriction of trade** due to health measures led to delays in the delivery of parts.

## **Should we fear new component shortages in the future?**

In addition to these supply problems, there are **resource limitations** for certain minerals, such as **lithium** and aluminum, which are essential for the production of bicycles and stations. The **growing demand** for these materials is putting **pressure on their availability**, thus questioning the viability of their future use. In addition to their limited availability, their extraction poses **major environmental problems**: destruction of forests and agricultural land to build mines, local water pollution, loss of biodiversity…

Lithium mines in South America - Credits: Euronews

## **What actions can operators take?**

Faced with this instability in parts availability, bike share system operators are forced to **rethink their materials consumption** and [**maintenance strategies**](/content/en/maintenance-operations/index.html) in order to **keep** their equipment running **as long as possible**. These strategies are even central to the financial viability of a system.

Indeed, bike sharing infrastructure is **expensive** to maintain. Bike and station maintenance can account for up to **40% of a service's operating costs**. When a station component fails, the operator must act quickly to maintain a good quality of service. The **emergency action** represents a significant cost for the system: it requires sending a qualified person to the field to repair the failure as soon as possible and to have the part to be changed in reserve.

To limit the use of this costly **curative maintenance**, **preventive maintenance** seems to be a solution. It intervenes before a malfunction occurs. It is a method of avoiding damage to equipment by periodically **replacing parts** and **performing minor maintenance and inspection** to keep stations running smoothly. This action extends the life cycle of the station's components and keeps it running smoothly over time. In addition, preventive maintenance **increases the durability** of a bike share system's equipment.

## **How does Qucit help operators in the maintenance of their equipment?**

Qucit assists bike sharing operators in their **curative and preventive maintenance tasks**. Maintenance actions are divided into two categories: occasional actions (curative maintenance) and periodic actions (preventive maintenance). The objective is to help teams **optimize their maintenance tours** in order to limit operational costs.