Boston Bike Share program

[schwa86]

Being announced today:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/04/21/boston_set_to_launch_bike_share_program/?p1=News_links

I have been involved a bit as one of the funder/sponsors through my organization. Wondering whether folks have opinions on likelihood of success/success factors based on experiences in other cities? I was in Paris last summer and that system definitely seemed to be working pretty well and well used. On my trips to DC, it seems less so (but this is just anecdotal observation not true knowledge).

As a pretty regular bike commuter for the last decade, Boston is definitely getting a bit better for riding and a bit more populated with cyclists so timing seems favorable...

[achurch]

AS it's called here--not sure about in Boston. It originated in Montreal and has been a HUGE success. the biggest issues is they do not rent helmets, but (not sure why) the accident rate on rented bikes is supposedly lower. They get used a ton--some people use them for commuting, tourists use them when they visit, a fair number of business people use them at lunch--restaurants have said that they see the lunch crowd radius increase--taxi business is off a bit (but not much--mostly the use seems to be from people going a bit farther not from replacing trips that would have been cabs).
Anyhow--it's very popular and continues to expand every year.
Oh yeah--one more benefit--many more bikes--therefore more car awareness (and probably a bit more car rage, but maybe not).

[LesMiner]

The Minneapolis version is up and running.
Nice Ride (http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/03/01/nice-ride-prepares-for-spring-expansion/)

[Bruce K]

I saw this on the morning news..

Boston's streets are narrower than younger cities and were designed around old cow paths.

With the mayor behind this and Nicole Freedman in front of it there is a reasonable chance for success.

I am hoping it works.

BK

[MattTuck]

Are there going to be fitters at these kiosks to make sure people are on properly fit bikes?

Ha!

[oldpotatoe]

Being announced today:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/04/21/boston_set_to_launch_bike_share_program/?p1=News_links

I have been involved a bit as one of the funder/sponsors through my organization. Wondering whether folks have opinions on likelihood of success/success factors based on experiences in other cities? I was in Paris last summer and that system definitely seemed to be working pretty well and well used. On my trips to DC, it seems less so (but this is just anecdotal observation not true knowledge).

As a pretty regular bike commuter for the last decade, Boston is definitely getting a bit better for riding and a bit more populated with cyclists so timing seems favorable...

http://www.bcycle.com

In Denver, coming to Boulder.

[hockeybike]

This program is huge in DC, right now. Everywhere you go, there's people on the beefy capital bike share bikes, at least everywhere you go in NW. It seems like a really popular alternative to owning a bike, or owning a beater bike.

http://www.capitalbikeshare.com/

The only issue is that most of the people on the bikeshare bikes aren't wearing helmets.

[vsefiream]

Yea I have to say that this depends hugely on the area. In Montreal, the Bixies are very popular, but the city is very bike friendly. I am sure to bring a bike whenever I travel up there. Matter of fact, I'll be there next month.
In Brixen, Italy, it's very bike friendly but everybody already has a bike The rentals (which are free BTW) all sat in the holders everytime I saw them.
I'm not sure how well these rentals will do in the US, probably better in DC than in Minneapolis but that's just a gut feeling.

[tuxbailey]

This program is huge in DC, right now. Everywhere you go, there's people on the beefy capital bike share bikes, at least everywhere you go in NW. It seems like a really popular alternative to owning a bike, or owning a beater bike.

http://www.capitalbikeshare.com/

The only issue is that most of the people on the bikeshare bikes aren't wearing helmets.

And they tend to ride on the side walks.

But I am okay with that since they don't go fast. I have been thinking about trying that since there is a station near my work place and one near my favorite pizza joint. I can pay a $5 all day pass and as long as I finish the ride in less than 30 minutes between stations it is free.

[schwa86]

Thanks everyone for thoughts. I think Boston is going to try to be more rigorous about the bike helmet issue -- I had a good talk with the head of the Public Health Commission and that was one of the conditions for the City's participation. I doubt they are going to police the kiosks, but apparently they are going to do a lot of work to co-locate places to buy/rent helmets, and will have volunteers over the summer at each of the kiosks distributing helmets.

[Bruce K]

I just saw Channel 7's segment on the program. It looks very cool.

It also looks VERY ambitious in the hope to eventually get 3000 units out there.

It will make Boston an even more special place if it all works as planned.

BTW, does this mean we all have to rent/pedal one of these things for Hub on Wheels? :rolleyes:

Will there be a special division of the Mayor's CUp where the participants race these bikes? :crap:

Oh the possibilities..... :bike:

BK

[deechee]

Thought I might update some of you about Montreal's Bixi program since its been in the news (http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2011/05/18/bixi-an-interactive-timeline-of-its-fall-from-grace/) a lot. Our city (thoroughly corrupt) is giving the program 108$M after conflicting reports of near-bankruptcy/expansion. Of course, our auditor general was hampered earlier this spring from finishing his report on the program since the Mayor was secretly spying (http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Mayor+should+step+aside+Bergeron/4618567/story.html) on him so we have no independent understanding of the company.

What we do know is that with 5,000 bikes, the company only made 1.5$M last year. Yay.

So this morning, I finally had a reason to try Bixi. After three years, the city finally installed some bikes near my home. I walk over to my local metro/train station and lo-and-behold - NO bikes, and NO bike station. They were there last week. Its no wonder this stupid program doesn't make any money. I buy a season pass and the bikes disappear. Sigh.

Another reason they lose money: they don't collect. Bixi offers discounts for corporations ordering season passes for groups; Bixi sent us the vouchers for the season passes before we sent them money. Really?

[oldpotatoe]

Being announced today:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/04/21/boston_set_to_launch_bike_share_program/?p1=News_links

I have been involved a bit as one of the funder/sponsors through my organization. Wondering whether folks have opinions on likelihood of success/success factors based on experiences in other cities? I was in Paris last summer and that system definitely seemed to be working pretty well and well used. On my trips to DC, it seems less so (but this is just anecdotal observation not true knowledge).

As a pretty regular bike commuter for the last decade, Boston is definitely getting a bit better for riding and a bit more populated with cyclists so timing seems favorable...


http://boulder.bcycle.com

Starts today in the 'republic. Very successful in Denver.