Bike Share Program Could Start on UWS

The DOT is inching closer to implementing a city-wide bike share program, perhaps starting with the Upper West Side. According to the West Side Independent City Councilwoman Gale Brewer is pushing for a pilot program in the neighborhood, and in a letter to the DOT commissioner, she writes, "The size and density of the 6 district, the diversity of our constituency, and our position between Central and Riverside Parks would generate valuable user data for future planning." But can New Yorkers really share? And who will pay for it?

Paris funds its bike-share program by letting the bike vendor sell ads on street billboards, but NYC already has a street furniture ad deal with Cemusa. So any citywide share program would probably be paid for in large part by members fees, and the DOT estimates that a yearly pass would probably cost $60. Sharing cyclists might also buy one-day passes for $5, paid for with the swipe of a credit card.

But Lisa Sladkus, a community organizer for the Upper West Side Streets Renaissance Campaign, reminds the Westside Independent, "In order for it to be successful, it would need to be all over the city...If a program was limited to the UWS, it would be fun for those few who live up here, but it wouldn’t be a true public bike system that allows people to use it AS public transit."

Then there's the problem of vandalism and theft; in Paris 80 percent of the initial 20,600 share bikes—which cost $3,500 a pop—have been stolen and sold on the black market in Eastern Europe and northern Africa. They've also been trashed in joy rides, found hanging from lampposts, and dumped in the Seine. So can Upper West Siders treat these share bikes in a more civilized manner than the French? If not, the pilot program could die on the vine.

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By John Del Signore in News on November 4, 2009 1:23 PM

Comments [rss]

Patrick Nielsen Hayden

We keep hearing about Paris's problems with its bike-share system, but nobody brings up Montreal, where it appears to be working just fine.

whitecastlerock

worst idea ever... you need to go somewhere? take the fucking subway or walk. You don't like that option? Move the fuck away. Go live in Paris-they have all that you need.

Spirit of 76

... "and a big F-U to bus riders and people who take cabs, too," says whitecastlerock.

ozik

For the record, this idea began with a Dutch 60s anarchist group, but whether it was the "Provos" or the "Kabouters" I cannot remember. They suggested the idea of free white bicycles everywhere for anyone to use at any time. Sometimes you see the free bike idea pop up on a smaller scale in places like Seattle, and that's why the bikes are usually white when it happens.

Mind you, this little bit of history I've recited is off the top of my head and might not be entirely accurate.

It seems that the key would be to make the bicycles so incredibly cheap and numerous that there wouldn't be a reason to steal them.

mellow_fellow

It seems that the key would be to make the bicycles so incredibly cheap and numerous that there wouldn't be a reason to steal them.
That wouldn't eliminate the urge to steal or vandalize them as a way to fuck with the system. FIGHT THE POWER!

jaycjay

It's Paris. Riots on the streets, clashes between "disaffected" youths and police, cars torched. Of course city-provided bicycles would be targets for vandalism and theft.

No doubt some of these bikes took a hit on this particular day:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/France-Protesters-Clash-With-Riot-Police-And-Burn-Cars-Before-On-Eve-Of-Bastille-Day/Article/200907215337681?f=rss

nikakanick

velib in paris is the greatest idea ever. ive been waiting for the day it comes to NYC. those bikes are pieces of shit too, no way they are worth that much. maybe if it was the bike from ET

hotstepper

what are you waving at hippie? the only thing i hate more than care bears are care bears on bicycles. just look at 'em with all their rainbows, hearts, boundless joy, and general feel-goodery.

fishfryin

whose wheels got greased on the 3500 per bike? in copenhagen the share bikes probably cost like 100$ each...things weigh like 50 pounds. this would never work in new york because we still have barely any proper bike lanes (no, painted lines on an avenue don't count) and a lot of space would be required for the rack locations which i don't see anyone ever giving up.

Gwinny

the velibs are quite heavy too -- I've ridden one -- but I can't explain the price tag.

schadenfreudian mensch

You can blame the Jew on that. They hate bikes more than they hate Hitler.

http://gothamist.com/2008/11/26/bike_lane_backlash_hasidim_to_block.php

thefacts

"So can Upper West Siders treat these share bikes in a more civilized manner than the French? If not, the pilot program could die on the vine."

So, with a stolen credit card the thiefs will be able to get an expensive bike!

This will die on the vine faster than a grapes full of phylloxera.

theboneranger

why the fuck do they cost $3500 per bike? i know serious bike enthusiasts who dont even spend that much on their bikes.

thewildpansy

What bikes were stolen? The velibs? Well you have to swipe your credit card, so it will charge you if you do that...What's the problem with it?

mellow_fellow

RTFA

jaycjay

"Stolen" isn't the same as "rented and not returned."

They're locked up on the street somewhere. They can simply be stolen just like any other bike.

Quidnam

In that case, is the take-away message that any bike in Paris has an 80% chance of being stolen if it is stored out on the street for an equivalent period of time? Or is there something about the bike sharing program that makes those bikes more likely to be stolen? Are people less careful about locking them up?