Municipally owned bike-rental programs in other cities have experienced major funding problems, even

Pronto Cycle Share And here's what the bikes themselves look like! On Monday, Capitol Hill Seattle blog posted a map of the purported baton rouge hotel directory planned baton rouge hotel directory locations for ten Pronto bicycle share stations on Capitol Hill. It's not quite right, however. "Not only is it inaccurate in regards to specific locations," says Pronto Cycle Share Director Holly Houser, "but it also shows both primary and secondary sites, so is somewhat misrepresentative baton rouge hotel directory of what the final network will look like."
With the caveat that these locations are still pending permit approval and not finalized, the complete maps of where Pronto Cycle Share wants to put its first 50 bike stations, ahead of its late September launch, are here and here (PDFs).
I cropped a few snapshots from the full maps, trying to show most of the stations, below. But I couldn't get them all, including, for example, baton rouge hotel directory the Pronto station planned for the intersection of 6th Ave. and King St. in the International District. Take a look, though! First, a reminder on the pricing, from my previous reporting:
So how much will it cost? $8 for a 24-hour bike rental, $16 for 3 days and $85 for an annual membership any of which gets you unlimited 30 minute trips for the period of your purchase. Pick up a bike at one station, then deposit baton rouge hotel directory it at another. Riders can rent helmets for $2 out of kiosks at the bike share stations.
Municipally owned bike-rental programs in other cities have experienced major funding problems, even bankruptcy, when they've been designed to function like public transit, with equal access and prices low enough for the poorest to afford.
I can't wait to use them on my next visit. I had a hell of a time finding a bike rental place in November last time I was there. A couple weeks ago while attending a conference in Chicago, I made great use of Divvy bikes, their bikeshare. Had to tote along my own helmet, but having a 2.5 mile commute along the LSD bike path was well worth it!
@12 These aren't really municipally owned systems. They are funded by sponsorships baton rouge hotel directory and user fees. Should they by municipally owned? For the very reasons you state, absolutely fucking yes. The systems have been shown to function baton rouge hotel directory very well as a component of transportation systems, not so much for tourists. So yeah, SDOT should be budgeting money to expand the system and keep it cheap.
@15 It's designed for short trips between multiple stations. As if you were doing errands/shopping in multiple locations. So yeah you can extend the free period for as long as you want by continuing to dock it. The reason it isn't a good solution for tourists is because you can't re-dock it if you are cruising out into the burbs on a multi use trail.
Well I was going to make the snide comment about how you could "buy a bike" but if all you want to do is get around that area, $85 wouldn't buy you the lowest rung Cannondale for about six years. Plus no repairs or worries about theft. This seems like it may be a practical program.
I still think the integration with transit leaves the "last mile" problem though because those red dots seem rather widely spaced your still going to be doing a lot of walking. Maybe as much as if you didn't use the bike at all.
We'd rather not moderate your comments, but off-topic, gratuitously inflammatory, threatening, or otherwise inappropriate baton rouge hotel directory remarks may be removed, and repeat offenders may be banned from commenting. We never censor baton rouge hotel directory comments based on ideology. baton rouge hotel directory Thanks to all who add to the conversation.
@18: I disagree that it's not useful for tourists. So far, that's the only mode I've used them in (at least, if business trips count as tourism). Cities so far: Chicago, DC, Columbus OH, Lyon France. It's very convenient compared to public transit and generally cheaper, too.
The interesting thing is going to be seeing if all the racks on Capitol Hill are emptied by people riding down but never back up again. I assume they'll have a truck redistributing the bikes, like they do in other places.
I used these in DC and it was awesome. We would bike to one place drop it off and then once we were done there, pick up a bike at the closest hub and go somewhere else. Can't wait for these to be all over the city.
I've ridden the Divvy bikes in Chicago, and they're probably OK if you've never had a properly-fitted, well-tuned bike in your life. Me? I rented mine to be a faster-than-taxi transit option, and it was so slow, clunky, and uncomfortable I nearly cried. Unless the ones in Seattle come with adjustable handlebars and more than 3 pokey gears, you'll never see me on one.
OIC from the maps, this service is only for the affluent, transient white folks, who ride for hipster acceptance, not for exercise or to save $$. I'm guessing baton rouge hotel directory they'll baton rouge hotel directory never put a station @ 23rd and Jackson, where it might actually be useful.
I happen to ride my bike everywhere... for exercise. I look forward to the bikes on those days I find myself without my bike and want one immediately. I don't usually baton rouge hotel directory take my bike on work commutes out of town, I use SoundTransit for that.
why don't you get really angry and righteous over the initial, conservative deployment baton rouge hotel directory in the location where the model has the best chance of success? my observation in MPLS was that the bike stations in low-income neighborhoods sat full and unused.