Comments on: Streetfilms: DC Bike-Share Hits the Ground Rolling http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:31:30 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Eric http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-57442 Eric Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:11:04 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-57442 This is an OK system, but it's too small and unnecessarily complex. Paris' Vélib' system is awesome, cheap, and it's faster. You just go to the lock holding your bike and swipe your Vélib' card or your NaviGo Pass (Subscription card for Paris' transit system.) The D.C. system shows promise. This is an OK system, but it's too small and unnecessarily complex. Paris' Vélib' system is awesome, cheap, and it's faster. You just go to the lock holding your bike and swipe your Vélib' card or your NaviGo Pass (Subscription card for Paris' transit system.) The D.C. system shows promise.

]]> By: Stefanie http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55623 Stefanie Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:52:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55623 When I walk around DC, I don't usually see the racks more than half full. You're not really seeing the popularity of the program yet, either, as it takes a a few weeks to receive the card necessary to use. The public has only been able to apply for the cards for about 3 weeks. When I walk around DC, I don't usually see the racks more than half full. You're not really seeing the popularity of the program yet, either, as it takes a a few weeks to receive the card necessary to use. The public has only been able to apply for the cards for about 3 weeks.

]]> By: Ian D http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55506 Ian D Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:04:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55506 Thanks for people pointing out that shortcoming of Vélib (or US credit cards, depending on your point of view) - that your card must have a European chip. We're aware of that and intend to give it a go with the AmEx - I'll let you know how it goes, though I apologize for taking the comments a bit off-topic. Thanks for people pointing out that shortcoming of Vélib (or US credit cards, depending on your point of view) - that your card must have a European chip. We're aware of that and intend to give it a go with the AmEx - I'll let you know how it goes, though I apologize for taking the comments a bit off-topic.

]]> By: Vroomfondel http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55505 Vroomfondel Sat, 23 Aug 2008 22:44:47 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55505 Some random thoughts: - I love the music. - I don't quite understand the economics of the program --- considering the puny number of bikes, I doubt it even pays for the maintenance crew. Does that mean that Clear Channel takes a loss for tax reasons/in order to generate goodwill, or some other reason? - Talking about Clear Channel, I though they were the bad guys because of what they're doing to the American media landscape. Now I'm confused. - There seemed to be plenty of bikes everywhere except possibly at Dupont Circle. If the program is truly popular, shouldn't we expect fewer bikes in racks, at least during the day? Some random thoughts:

- I love the music.

- I don't quite understand the economics of the program --- considering the puny number of bikes, I doubt it even pays for the maintenance crew. Does that mean that Clear Channel takes a loss for tax reasons/in order to generate goodwill, or some other reason?

- Talking about Clear Channel, I though they were the bad guys because of what they're doing to the American media landscape. Now I'm confused.

- There seemed to be plenty of bikes everywhere except possibly at Dupont Circle. If the program is truly popular, shouldn't we expect fewer bikes in racks, at least during the day?

]]> By: Greener Grass http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55502 Greener Grass Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:50:54 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55502 DC's program is all about being first and adding a "bike-share" bullet to the city's policy list, but its pathetic size makes it irrelevant beyond the press release. DC's program is all about being first and adding a "bike-share" bullet to the city's policy list, but its pathetic size makes it irrelevant beyond the press release.

]]> By: Patch Hofweber http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55478 Patch Hofweber Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:55:58 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55478 Arcata has been doing a bike share for years. Why do they not get credit? Arcata has been doing a bike share for years. Why do they not get credit?

]]> By: Angus Grieve-Smith http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55477 Angus Grieve-Smith Sat, 23 Aug 2008 02:45:54 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55477 I just found <a href="http://www.parisinfo.com/professionnels/100313/velib-" rel="nofollow">this page</a> from the Paris Office of Tourism, which says that the stations accept American Express and Diners' Club as well as JCB and chip-enabled Visa/Mastercards. I just found this page from the Paris Office of Tourism, which says that the stations accept American Express and Diners' Club as well as JCB and chip-enabled Visa/Mastercards.

]]> By: Angus Grieve-Smith http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55476 Angus Grieve-Smith Sat, 23 Aug 2008 02:41:44 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55476 Thanks for pointing that out, Louis. As <a href="http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/30/video-the-velib-project/#comment-38819" rel="nofollow">previously discussed</a>, U.S. residents can obtain a <a href="http://www.jcbusa.com/jcb_cards.html" rel="nofollow">JCB Card</a>, which has the all important chip. Some people say that American Express works as well, but I haven't seen official confirmation of that. Thanks for pointing that out, Louis. As previously discussed, U.S. residents can obtain a JCB Card, which has the all important chip. Some people say that American Express works as well, but I haven't seen official confirmation of that.

]]> By: Justin http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55475 Justin Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:50:29 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55475 Jeffrey: Tulsa has a population of almost 400,000 with a metro area population of about 900,000, and a population density of about 2100/ sq. mile. DC had a population of about 600,000, a metro area population of over 5 million and population density of over 9000/ sq. mile. Not very similar in size at all. As for being the first in the nation, Tulsa's system is more of a bike rental system than a bikeshare (but that's up for interpretation). DC's is designed to be much more of an urban transportation system basically identical to systems in Barcelona and Stockholm. Jeffrey:

Tulsa has a population of almost 400,000 with a metro area population of about 900,000, and a population density of about 2100/ sq. mile. DC had a population of about 600,000, a metro area population of over 5 million and population density of over 9000/ sq. mile. Not very similar in size at all.

As for being the first in the nation, Tulsa's system is more of a bike rental system than a bikeshare (but that's up for interpretation). DC's is designed to be much more of an urban transportation system basically identical to systems in Barcelona and Stockholm.

]]> By: Peter http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55471 Peter Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:27:07 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55471 very cool, y'all! good work, as usual! very cool, y'all! good work, as usual!

]]> By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55470 Andy B from Jersey Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:21:45 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55470 Here's Sesame Street's take on bicycle sharing! Video: Sesame Street on Bike Sharing (1:13) Via Morristown Pedal Pushers • Thursday, August 14, 2008 http://tinyurl.com/6qfhgu Here's Sesame Street's take on bicycle sharing!

Video: Sesame Street on Bike Sharing (1:13)
Via Morristown Pedal Pushers • Thursday, August 14, 2008
http://tinyurl.com/6qfhgu

]]> By: Louis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55469 Louis Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:45:16 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55469 Ian, make sure you have a French CB (Bank card) in order to use the Velib's! Or borrow a friend's. Ian, make sure you have a French CB (Bank card) in order to use the Velib's! Or borrow a friend's.

]]> By: Clarence Eckerson Jr. http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55467 Clarence Eckerson Jr. Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:23:59 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55467 Jeffrey, Wow look at that in Tulsa! Way to go, I think people are trusting DC's press releases at it being the first in the nation, but yes there have been many small scale efforts/attempts over the years for sure...in NYC in Summer '07, Eugene had a yellow bikes program in the late 90s, etc. etc. One observation: the bikes as well as the color scheme and font choices for the Tulsa Townies website reminded me of a Barbie play set. Anyone else get that vibe? Jeffrey,

Wow look at that in Tulsa! Way to go, I think people are trusting DC's press releases at it being the first in the nation, but yes there have been many small scale efforts/attempts over the years for sure...in NYC in Summer '07, Eugene had a yellow bikes program in the late 90s, etc. etc.

One observation: the bikes as well as the color scheme and font choices for the Tulsa Townies website reminded me of a Barbie play set. Anyone else get that vibe?

]]> By: Jeffrey W. Baker http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55463 Jeffrey W. Baker Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:22:27 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55463 Props to D.C. for doing this, but don't take credit for being the first in the nation. <a href="http://www.tulsa-townies.com/" rel="nofollow">Tulsa Townies</a> bike sharing launched in August 2007. Some people don't consider Tulsa to be a "city" but its population is similar to D.C.'s. Props to D.C. for doing this, but don't take credit for being the first in the nation. Tulsa Townies bike sharing launched in August 2007. Some people don't consider Tulsa to be a "city" but its population is similar to D.C.'s.

]]> By: Ian D http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55461 Ian D Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:26:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55461 Ah-hah -- the standard Clear Channel bike setup. Same bikes and racks as you'd find with Barcelona's Bicing, Oslo's Bysykkel or Stockholm's City Bikes. Hope they expand considerably in DC. Shea and I are going to Paris this weekend (after Summer Streets, of course) to ride around for a day on the Vélib bikes (well, I'm going there because that's where my work-trip is, Shea is, in fact, going for the bikes). An idea whose time has come... thanks for the update, Clarence and Elizabeth! Ah-hah -- the standard Clear Channel bike setup. Same bikes and racks as you'd find with Barcelona's Bicing, Oslo's Bysykkel or Stockholm's City Bikes. Hope they expand considerably in DC.

Shea and I are going to Paris this weekend (after Summer Streets, of course) to ride around for a day on the Vélib bikes (well, I'm going there because that's where my work-trip is, Shea is, in fact, going for the bikes).

An idea whose time has come... thanks for the update, Clarence and Elizabeth!

]]> By: Jay D http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/22/streetfilms-dc-bike-share-hits-the-ground-rolling/comment-page-1/#comment-55460 Jay D Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:14:27 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4441#comment-55460 I'm envious that button down DC got this first. They definitely should have rolled out with many more bikes and bike stations, and the bikes need baskets or rear racks to increase the utility of the bike. Then it really becomes a viable utilitarian mode of transportation for daily living. Can't wait until we see bike share in NYC! I'm envious that button down DC got this first. They definitely should have rolled out with many more bikes and bike stations, and the bikes need baskets or rear racks to increase the utility of the bike. Then it really becomes a viable utilitarian mode of transportation for daily living.

Can't wait until we see bike share in NYC!

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