Comments on: 1,000 bikes for public use? Could be

By: 1Stew

1Stew — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:36:27 +0000

Maybe they system could add another fee option that would allow for a two hour use twice a week for a trip to the grocery. The baskets on the bikes shown look rather smallish for anyone having to cart anything. Say compared to the Barcelona bikes http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/05/barcelona_has_g.php

By: spuzzz

spuzzz — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:04:48 +0000

to bad individual accountability is not needed for other social programs, such as welfare…

By: Curmudgeon Geographer

Curmudgeon Geographer — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 05:18:24 +0000

I’m shocked! shocked! at what a little individual accountability can do for the potential success of a program. *cough*

By: Barry

Barry — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:55:35 +0000

Might work a lot better, Carmudgeon. If they have your credit card number, you aren’t likely to steal, abandon, or crash the bike. Just like renting a car.
Sounds like a cool idea.
Whatever it takes to reduce traffic congestion is worth a try! The three mil seems a bit high, but they’ll get some of that back.

By: Curmudgeon Geographer

Curmudgeon Geographer — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:53:05 +0000

How is this going to work better than the Yellow Bike failure that St. Paul attempted?

By: Matty

Matty — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:26:46 +0000

Also, I meant to add an “that’s just silly” about the idea of people traveling on bicycles staying off of Washington Avenue.

By: Matty

Matty — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:21:06 +0000

Do you mean 2nd Street, Prof. S.? There is no (not yet anyway) dedicated bike lane on 3rd Street. (This comment should not be interpreted as agreement that bicycles have no right to Washington Avenue.)

By: Prof. S.

Prof. S. — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:15:42 +0000

Also, yet another strange area where Matty and I are in agreement - support for this program.

Although (and proving that we’re not always perfect), how about including instructions with the bike noting that there’ a dedicated bike lane on 3rd Street, so we better not see you blocking a lane on Washington Avenue.

By: Prof. S.

Prof. S. — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:12:47 +0000

A program rep recently explained this at a DMNA meeting a couple of months ago. The idea is to encourage short trips - less than a 1/2 hour - for more turnover and less about one person using it for recreation. The $50 really isn’t much at all.

By: UofM2010

UofM2010 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:19:40 +0000

You and I think much alike, Matty!