All is going according to plan.

Now that the combination locks have been introduced, I have been under less pressure to cycle back to the house to make meeting with the CouchSurfer who has requested the bike. The system is becoming a bit more streamlined from a logistical point of view.
Zum Beispiel: Take today, three bike collections but a very personally a busy day. Previously, this would have caused:
a) me ; stress, to be back in time for every pick up
b) me ; more stress, as I waited for people to show up - ongoing problem of punctuality in these pick-ups
c) possibly fewer bikesurfed days; if I was unable to co-ordinate a mutually suitable time for pick-up
d) the Couchsurfer ; inconvenience having to show up at a certain time

HOWEVER...
Did not have to be here for any pick-ups, just let them know where the bikes would be, the combination on the locks and what the bikes looked like and BINGO! all collected when I returned home this evening.

Also got the promise of two more bikes joining the system in the coming weeks.... always helps when I get this type of tangible encouragement :-)

Bikes4ever