This Is Guernsey

By Tom Edwards

ONE of the Bright Young Things finalists believes she has the answer to Guernsey’s traffic and parking problems. Partnership employee Danielle Reid (pictured) has come up with  Re-Cycle, a community electric bike-sharing initiative.

A fleet of about 200 would be available for islanders to borrow free of charge from about 20 stations. Advertising from local companies would be placed on each bike to fund the whole project.

Miss Reid said the idea had been a proven success in many European cities. ‘Paris is the biggest one and they’re even planning to try it out in London. I know it works – it’s just a matter of applying it. Guernsey is very hilly, so the bikes would have to be electric and they could be charged at the stations.

‘Because of the environmental benefits, I would hope that the States would want to be involved in some capacity.’

Users would register for the service and then either enter their social security number or swipe a special card to unlock a bike.

GPS would be used to pinpoint the location of each one.

Ms Reid did not make it to the final three of Bright Young Things, but still received £2,000 from the mentors to put her plan into action.

She worked with businessman Tom Scott on the proposal and said he had been brilliant.

‘With Tom, you start discussing something and he just knows exactly what you’re talking about straight away.

‘He’s very realistic and is not going to lie if he doesn’t like an idea. I’m extremely grateful to him for all the support that he offered to me throughout the entire process.’

Ms Reid was born in Melbourne, Australia, and has a degree in occupational therapy and psychology.

She has studied graphic design and is enthusiastic about combining environmental concerns with functional, accessible and artistic solutions.

‘Obviously my business idea was just a concept and to develop it into a business plan within a week was quite challenging.

‘I do want to make a profit from this because it involves a lot of work and I want the rewards.

‘But it’s not primarily a profit-driven enterprise. I guess that in an ideal world, we all just want to do what we enjoy and be successful.’

Ms Reid now intends to find a bike supplier and obtain additional funding to take care of the high initial start-up costs.

‘I also have to do a lot of research to help me decide whether this is something the Guernsey people want or not.

‘Are finance workers really going to use these bikes? There’s no point moving forward with this if no one is going to use them.’

She looks back on Bright Young Things as a positive experience that is a welcome addition to the Guernsey calendar.

‘I want to thank Schroders

for their support and I hope

that the contest will continue for many years to come as it’s such a great idea and worthy cause.

‘It seems to be a really exciting time for Guernsey at the moment in terms of entrepreneurs coming out of the woodwork.’