Bike Share Programs

Sounds like the money will be recouped through all of the high fees, but that's strictly a guess. The costs and the time limits make it sound like a disincentive to use the program.

 

Tourists who probably don't carry bike helmets on vacation, and may find themselves over their heads (so to speak) trying to get around on a bike in NYC (even with bike lanes). It's inevitable that someone's gonna split their melon on one of these bikes, then things may get interesting.

EDIT: I see in that NYT story where the city comptroller wants a helmet requirement. Can't argue with the sentiment, but impossible to execute.

 

Live around here, with its unique challenges, and you might feel differently. A parking spot can cost upward of $400 a month in my immediate neighborhood. It is extremely difficult to park a car around here. Anytime they take away spots -- whether it is the 5 movies and TV shows that seem to be simultaneously shooting on any given day and taking away hundreds of spots (no hyperbole on this one), or because they stuck a bike rack into a place you could have gotten three cars into -- it rankles people.

In the case of my neighborhood, they loaded it up with bike racks not to serve the people who live here, but because it is a heavy tourist area. There are more bike racks around here than other places I have been -- and they didn't even put in bikes above 59th Street, which are the real residential areas in Manhattan.

I accept that comes with the territory of where I choose to live, but I don't have to be all jolly about it. And it's not whining to point out reality. It's clear the purpose of this program is not to actually service the citizens of NY. Which is probably smart, because if the object is to make money, they are not going to that way. They loaded up touristy areas with bikes and are non-existent in the main residential areas. At the same time, though, it effects the people who live here day in and day out.

I strongly suspect at least in my immediate neighborhood, it isn't going to get much use by the actual people who live around here. This is a walking / public transportation city to get around locally. There is a segment of people who hop on a bike to get around. Those people own bikes. It's not going to be the best economic decision, given the cost and the limitations (you are on the clock, even though you paid an annual fee) for most people who are serious about riding a bike for transportation to go about it this way.

 

Yeah. Real good lesson there. : Whenever I have to be in Northern Jersey or on Long Island or in Philadelphia, I flip a coin to decide between hopping in the car or getting on a bike.