Bike share- Vancouver next yr.

[shootingstar]

As Vancouverites know now, the City of Vancouver recently approved a pilot demonstration bike share program to be implemented in time for Olympics 2010 next year.

One seriously wonders given the decision made this late..how this will work. My brain wants to be convinced that visitors will want to cycle in February when it's cold and higher probabilityof rain during Olympics. Who knows, maybe some closed off car lanes and pedestrian crowds will determine the need. :cool:

Little booklet that highlights the Velib Paris bikeshare program.
http://www.sightline.org/publications/enewsletters/price_tags/pricetags101

(There are other free little booklets at website on various subjects too on urban planning issues/commentary, mostly illustrative with photos.)

[Softie]

Haha! I say good luck getting people who can afford to fly to Vancouver for the Olympics, and stay in Whistler, to bike in fall Vancouver (wet) weather. Though, now living in Toronto (I just survived my first -30 winter!) I kinda think biking in the rain all winter is a pretty good deal. :)

The program looks really neat! Hopefully it will be a success. I can't believe all those locations in Paris.

[badger]

UBC had a program a while back where they serviced the old junky bikes, painted them hideous pink, and let the students borrow them from class to class. If they went missing, well, either they'll be spotted using a pink bike, or the value of them were so minimal it didn't matter.

Not sure why they ended the program, but it's not around any longer. Probably all got stolen...

[Grog]

UBC had a program a while back where they serviced the old junky bikes, painted them hideous pink, and let the students borrow them from class to class. If they went missing, well, either they'll be spotted using a pink bike, or the value of them were so minimal it didn't matter.

Not sure why they ended the program, but it's not around any longer. Probably all got stolen...

It's still around. The bikes are purple and yellow now.

http://www.ams.ubc.ca/clubs/bikecoop/

[shootingstar]

June 12-15/09, there will be demonstration models of sample bikeshare bikes. For public comment. By Science World.

http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/cycling/plans/bikeshare.htm


There is ALOT of cycling-related initiatives (which has not been finalized for the public yet) & existing public events being planned right now in Vancouver. Abit dizzying.

[buddha_bellies]

I just heard on the news yesterday that Vancouver had over 5000 bikes stolen last year. I don't really know how this bike share will work out. It would be nice if it does. But somehow I see all bikes are either stolen or taken apart for parts... :o

[shootingstar]

I just heard on the news yesterday that Vancouver had over 5000 bikes stolen last year. I don't really know how this bike share will work out. It would be nice if it does. But somehow I see all bikes are either stolen or taken apart for parts... :o

Not sure, but I believe the Bixi bike or similar would require a credit car swipe as a form of backup "payment" if you exceed the lst 30 free min. ..which means a person should plot out their ride abit in advance.

Looks like Ottawa and Gatineau (which is beside Ottawa), are testing bikeshare too now. Ottawa has a good bike route network system also.

http://www.straight.com/article-232359/bikeshare-program-rides-vancouver-weekend?

[buddha_bellies]

Oh I hope it works then. Anything to encourage more people to use alternative transportation.

BTW, Shooting Star, I saw you on Ontario this morning around 7:15 am ish... I think it was you. My friend and I were just heaing North to d/t.

[shootingstar]

Early enough, eh? :D I know, we all look alike ..with bike helmets. :p Next time, holler...