Does your city/town have a bike share program?
#1
Does your city/town have a bike share program?
Hello all!
I have read about the success of bike share programs in other countries and am wondering whether such programs have been implemented in the US, and whether they have been successful. By bike share programs, I am referring to the short term rental of bikes at bike stations. You swipe your credit card, grab a bike and go.
If you have such a program in your area, I would like to hear about it.
Thanks in advance!
I have read about the success of bike share programs in other countries and am wondering whether such programs have been implemented in the US, and whether they have been successful. By bike share programs, I am referring to the short term rental of bikes at bike stations. You swipe your credit card, grab a bike and go.
If you have such a program in your area, I would like to hear about it.
Thanks in advance!
#3
Sorry. To clarify, they are typically new bikes. Perhaps there is a better sub-forum to post this query in, but this is the sub-forum where I spend the most time and thought I would try here first. But maybe you are on to something with renting classic bikes!
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Europe
Posts: 345
Bikes: 69' Colnago, 74' DeRosa, 75' Masi Gran Criterium, 83' Tomas, 85' Daccordi Turbo, 90' Eddy Merckx 7/11, 92' Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, 92' Basso Astra,
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
He in Luxembourg we have this system. I think it is a good idea, even if I prefer riding my own classic bikes
#7
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 41,047
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Liked 3,045 Times
in
1,722 Posts
We've been thinking about starting one, though I think we're a long way off.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Montreal Quebec, Plateau
Posts: 360
Bikes: 91 bridgestone rb-2, Univega viva sport, 04 masi Nouva Strada,Dave Scott Ironman, Changes like every month
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you want an example, check out Montreal's Bixi program. Minneapolis and toronto have the same bikes in a similar system. Its immensely popular here.
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 118
Bikes: 1939 The James Arrow Ace Convertible Touring Tandem, 1950 Dunelt cruiser, 1960 Robin Hood Sports, 1972 Humber Sports, 1986 Panasonic Touring Deluxe
Likes: 0
Liked 64 Times
in
20 Posts
We have a bike library. Here is their website:
https://www.bikelibrary.org/
Here is an article from today's paper about our excess bikes going to overseas users:
https://www.press-citizen.com/article...into-the-world
The library has been around for about 5 years
-Mike
https://www.bikelibrary.org/
Here is an article from today's paper about our excess bikes going to overseas users:
https://www.press-citizen.com/article...into-the-world
The library has been around for about 5 years
-Mike
#10
Senior Member
DC's system (Capital Bikeshare) went live a couple weeks ago. My sister in law uses it. I visited Paris earlier in the spring. It's a very popular system (Velib), although they had vandalism issues early on. Dublin uses the same bikes, but the concept isn't as popular so far as I could tell. The Dublin system is called "Dublin Bikes".
Amsterdam has an unofficial program. You get wasted, can't find your bike so you take one that isn't yours. That person does the same and so on. The vast majority of bikes in Amsterdam are essentially the same anyway. Very, very utilitarian.
Amsterdam has an unofficial program. You get wasted, can't find your bike so you take one that isn't yours. That person does the same and so on. The vast majority of bikes in Amsterdam are essentially the same anyway. Very, very utilitarian.
Last edited by ColonelJLloyd; 11-04-10 at 09:48 PM.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Seville, Spain
Posts: 4,403
Bikes: Brompton M6R, mountain bikes, Circe Omnis+ tandem
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
I know you asked about programs in the U.S., but we have one here in Seville called Sevici which is similar to the one in Paris (Vélib). It's been operating since 2007 and has been a resounding success.
#13
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
15 Posts
Yup...another North Carolinian...and no we don't have bike sharing and I suspect it will be a cold day in hell before we ever see it.
FWIW we have tried on the bikes in the Denver bike share and they don't fit us well at all. I am 6'-2" and my bride is 5'-0 1/2". The only bike we have ever been able to stretch to fit both of us is the venerable Raleigh Twenty.
Aaron
FWIW we have tried on the bikes in the Denver bike share and they don't fit us well at all. I am 6'-2" and my bride is 5'-0 1/2". The only bike we have ever been able to stretch to fit both of us is the venerable Raleigh Twenty.
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 257
Bikes: Norco VFR D3, CCM Cruiser
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Here in Toronto they just announced we'll be getting one, but it's not in place yet.
ColonelJLloyd mentioned the Washington DC program just went live a few weeks ago, but I went on vacation to Washington last May (2009) and we saw a bikeshare near our hotel. I just googled it and it seems that before, they only had about 100 bikes but now they're going to have over 1000.
ColonelJLloyd mentioned the Washington DC program just went live a few weeks ago, but I went on vacation to Washington last May (2009) and we saw a bikeshare near our hotel. I just googled it and it seems that before, they only had about 100 bikes but now they're going to have over 1000.
#15
Thank you so much for the information! I am interested in starting such a program in a few cities in the US. Looks like the DC program would be a good place to start. Seems like if it is well thought out and in an area where it would be useful, it could be a sucess. The European programs seem to provide a good model. Mike, that bike library is a neat concept. Thanks again for the information, I've got some good leads on information!
#16
In the right lane
In Des Moines, we have a 4 station b-cycle program. It got started this fall and it attracted a lot of attention.
https://desmoines.bcycle.com/
I understand the setup was a lot of work and a pretty major outlay of cash needed. You'll undoubtedly need some business/community partners to start up.
The provider is BCycle, an affiliate of Trek in Madison.
https://desmoines.bcycle.com/
I understand the setup was a lot of work and a pretty major outlay of cash needed. You'll undoubtedly need some business/community partners to start up.
The provider is BCycle, an affiliate of Trek in Madison.
#17
Sophomoric Member
In Des Moines, we have a 4 station b-cycle program. It got started this fall and it attracted a lot of attention.
https://desmoines.bcycle.com/
I understand the setup was a lot of work and a pretty major outlay of cash needed. You'll undoubtedly need some business/community partners to start up.
The provider is BCycle, an affiliate of Trek in Madison.
https://desmoines.bcycle.com/
I understand the setup was a lot of work and a pretty major outlay of cash needed. You'll undoubtedly need some business/community partners to start up.
The provider is BCycle, an affiliate of Trek in Madison.
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
#18
gosh--didn't you know? Bike-sharing programs are the gateway to World Socialism! https://coloradoindependent.com/58885...-un-domination
#19
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
15 Posts
We have a bike library. Here is their website:
https://www.bikelibrary.org/
Here is an article from today's paper about our excess bikes going to overseas users:
https://www.press-citizen.com/article...into-the-world
The library has been around for about 5 years
-Mike
https://www.bikelibrary.org/
Here is an article from today's paper about our excess bikes going to overseas users:
https://www.press-citizen.com/article...into-the-world
The library has been around for about 5 years
-Mike
I met a couple of people that went to Goodwill and bought bikes to ride about for the couple of weeks they were there, then donated them back.
The cycling structure in IC is much better than what I see in most areas. BTW I should be back there in another week or so for a few days.
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Seville, Spain
Posts: 4,403
Bikes: Brompton M6R, mountain bikes, Circe Omnis+ tandem
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
gosh--didn't you know? Bike-sharing programs are the gateway to World Socialism! https://coloradoindependent.com/58885...-un-domination
Last edited by Ekdog; 11-05-10 at 05:57 PM.
#21
Senior Member
The only bike share programs that have ever existed in the cities that I have lived in were of the casual, "I've got a few extras for visitors, foreign exchange students and friends" variety. Sometimes they get shared all gone and sometimes people who have a bike with no rider will give it to me to share.
#22
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
15 Posts
The only bike share programs that have ever existed in the cities that I have lived in were of the casual, "I've got a few extras for visitors, foreign exchange students and friends" variety. Sometimes they get shared all gone and sometimes people who have a bike with no rider will give it to me to share.
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#23
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 41,047
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Liked 3,045 Times
in
1,722 Posts
Yeah, I have tons of guest bikes too. They come in handy. I also loan them out.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#24
Senior Member
There are excellent bike share programs in many large cities throughout South Korea. The best one I have used was in Changwon. The bikes were five speed cruisers with big front baskets and rear racks. They were very popular too since the entire city is relatively new and was built with bicycle lames on almost every street. There is a barrier between bike lanes and car traffic as well.
#25
In the right lane
We have a bike library. Here is their website:
https://www.bikelibrary.org/
Here is an article from today's paper about our excess bikes going to overseas users:
https://www.press-citizen.com/article...into-the-world
The library has been around for about 5 years
-Mike
https://www.bikelibrary.org/
Here is an article from today's paper about our excess bikes going to overseas users:
https://www.press-citizen.com/article...into-the-world
The library has been around for about 5 years
-Mike
Bike sharing like b-cycle is a great way to handle the "last mile" issue for public transportation. Bike lending is a great way to get a bike for a week or two while you are visiting.