Comments on: Bicycle Rental Services http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Wed, 22 May 2013 22:02:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Larry Lagarde http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/comment-page-1/#comment-20026 Larry Lagarde Fri, 16 Feb 2007 01:26:55 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/#comment-20026 I wrote JCDecaux about this subject on December 8th, 2006. Following is the message I sent and the reply I received a few days later: "I read about JCDecaux's innovative bike rentals program in Lyon, France. If JCDecaux is looking for a means to help a large number of people, offering a similar bike rentals program in New Orleans would be brilliant and I would be willing to help make it happen. As a result of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is facing huge challenges attracting tourists and residents to return. Offering bike rental stations in the French Quarter, Downtown, Uptown & along the Mississippi River bike trail would provide cost effective, short distance transportation to a variety of users that have already returned and inspire others to return as well. Respectfully, Larry Lagarde RideTHISbike.com Ph: 504-324-2492 Urging bicycling for recreation, commuting, health and a better future." Following is the reply that I received from JCDecaux North America: "Hi Larry, Thank you for your interest in the JCDecaux bicycle transportation system. The success story in Lyon France has prompted many inquiries from around the world and we are looking forward to introducing the bicycle transportation system to other cities in the near future. New Orleans would be a great candidate for this program. We will be happy to keep you informed of any new announcements regarding the bicycle transportation system in the U.S. market as it becomes available. Sincerely, Customer Relations JCDecaux North America 3 Park Avenue (33rd Floor) New York, New York 10016 www.JCDecauxNA.com" I hope JCDecaux's bus shelter & bike rental programs are wildly successful so they will continue to roll out similar projects in major cities in the USA. Larry I wrote JCDecaux about this subject on December 8th, 2006. Following is the message I sent and the reply I received a few days later:

“I read about JCDecaux’s innovative bike rentals program in Lyon, France. If JCDecaux is looking for a means to help a large number of people, offering a similar bike rentals program in New Orleans would be brilliant and I would be willing to help make it happen.

As a result of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is facing huge challenges attracting tourists and residents to return. Offering bike rental stations in the French Quarter, Downtown, Uptown & along the Mississippi River bike trail would provide cost effective, short distance transportation to a variety of users that have already returned and inspire others to return as well.

Respectfully,
Larry Lagarde
RideTHISbike.com
Ph: 504-324-2492
Urging bicycling for recreation, commuting, health and a better future.”

Following is the reply that I received from JCDecaux North America:

“Hi Larry,

Thank you for your interest in the JCDecaux bicycle transportation system.

The success story in Lyon France has prompted many inquiries from around the world and we are looking forward to introducing the bicycle transportation system to other cities in the near future.

New Orleans would be a great candidate for this program.

We will be happy to keep you informed of any new announcements regarding the bicycle transportation system in the U.S. market as it becomes available.

Sincerely,

Customer Relations
JCDecaux North America
3 Park Avenue (33rd Floor)
New York, New York 10016
http://www.JCDecauxNA.com”

I hope JCDecaux’s bus shelter & bike rental programs are wildly successful so they will continue to roll out similar projects in major cities in the USA.

Larry

]]> By: Ana Pereira http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/comment-page-1/#comment-19675 Ana Pereira Thu, 08 Feb 2007 23:01:12 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/#comment-19675 It looks like the expansion to Paris was haulted... http://www.bikebiz.com/14000-free-bike-contract-for-Paris-is-halted It looks like the expansion to Paris was haulted… http://www.bikebiz.com/14000-free-bike-contract-for-Paris-is-halted

]]> By: Paul of N.W. GA http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/comment-page-1/#comment-19471 Paul of N.W. GA Sat, 03 Feb 2007 22:05:38 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/#comment-19471 I live in Georgia and it has to be one of the worst states for bicyclists. Here is a link to the Georgia General Assembly, http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/. On the left side of this page click on "Georgia Code". This will take you to LexisNexis who is hosting the laws page for the state of Georgia. Title 40 is Traffic laws, but it says "Motor Vehicles and Traffic", hum, do only motor vehicles count? Further on title 40 chapter 6 "Uniform rules of the road", remember this is under Motor Vehicles. And now Article 13 "special provisions for certain vehicles" and then we see bicycles, they are listed with *( PLAY TOYS )*. When I called LexisNexis they said this is the way the Georgia government told them to enter it. I was to mad Friday and only called my senator. If you live in Georgia and feel as I do, call everyone you know and have them call their government officials too. I believe Global Climate Change is real, and is all of our faults. I also believe humanity is doomed this time. What kind of life will my children have? I live in Georgia and it has to be one of the worst states for bicyclists.

Here is a link to the Georgia General Assembly, http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/.
On the left side of this page click on “Georgia Code”. This will take you to LexisNexis who is hosting the laws page for the state of Georgia.

Title 40 is Traffic laws, but it says “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, hum, do only motor vehicles count? Further on title 40 chapter 6 “Uniform rules of the road”, remember this is under Motor Vehicles. And now Article 13 “special provisions for certain vehicles” and then we see bicycles, they are listed with *( PLAY TOYS )*.

When I called LexisNexis they said this is the way the Georgia government told them to enter it. I was to mad Friday and only called my senator.

If you live in Georgia and feel as I do, call everyone you know and have them call their government officials too.

I believe Global Climate Change is real, and is all of our faults. I also believe humanity is doomed this time. What kind of life will my children have?

]]> By: Nicole http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/comment-page-1/#comment-19467 Nicole Sat, 03 Feb 2007 21:26:03 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/#comment-19467 Fritz is right -- the logistics (and financing) of such programs are more complex than first glance would have one believe. The campus I work on has a free bike rental program (started by a student group, but very supported by on-campus entities), and maintenance of the bikes is a problem. The bike has to be a happy medium between quality, affordability, and hopefully-won't-get-stolen-ness. It's also hard to keep track of a volunteer maintenance crew. The city (a city that's very bike friendly) has tried a bike program before, that later lost funding, but is embarking on it once again. I really hope it works this time, but they definitely have hurdles to jump over. Fritz is right — the logistics (and financing) of such programs are more complex than first glance would have one believe. The campus I work on has a free bike rental program (started by a student group, but very supported by on-campus entities), and maintenance of the bikes is a problem. The bike has to be a happy medium between quality, affordability, and hopefully-won’t-get-stolen-ness. It’s also hard to keep track of a volunteer maintenance crew. The city (a city that’s very bike friendly) has tried a bike program before, that later lost funding, but is embarking on it once again. I really hope it works this time, but they definitely have hurdles to jump over.

]]> By: Fritz http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/comment-page-1/#comment-19464 Fritz Sat, 03 Feb 2007 20:36:28 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/#comment-19464 Several U.S. cities have a free "Yellow Bikes" or "Blue Bikes" program. The Blue Bikes programs tend to be along recreational trails, while the Yellow Bikes programs tend to be for transportational use. These programs *do* cost money -- money to get, replace, track and maintain the bikes; money for bike storage; money to administer the program; money to promote the program and so forth. Several U.S. cities have a free “Yellow Bikes” or “Blue Bikes” program. The Blue Bikes programs tend to be along recreational trails, while the Yellow Bikes programs tend to be for transportational use.

These programs *do* cost money — money to get, replace, track and maintain the bikes; money for bike storage; money to administer the program; money to promote the program and so forth.

]]> By: JiMCi http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/comment-page-1/#comment-19415 JiMCi Fri, 02 Feb 2007 19:08:40 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/#comment-19415 A few notes about the Lyon, France, Velo'V project, as published in the Nouvel Observateur earlier this week: " How does it work? You buy either a weekly ( $1.30) or yearly ($6.50) pass, pick up a bike at a station, ride, and drop it at another station near your destination (the maximum distance between stations is 1,000 feet). The first half-hour is free. With a yearly pass, the next hour is 0.6.¢. For longer rides, the rate is $1.30 per hour. About 95% of rentals are for less than 30 minutes and therefore free. Rates are higher for weekly passes. " The project started 18 months ago with 2,000 bicycles available from over 157 stations, it will increase from 3,000 bikes and 250 next summer to 4,000 bikes and 350 stations in 2008. " Bikes are sometimes used by up to 15 riders on the same day. " Total mileage ridden in 18 months: 10 millions miles. " Bicycle use grew by 33% from 2004 to 2005 and by 44% from 2005 to 2006. " Downtown traffic used to increase by 3 to 5% per year but have stopped growing since the start of the project. " Similar systems are found in Vienna (Austria), Brussels (Belgium) and Aix-en-Provence, Marseilles and Rennes (France). Paris has recently awarded a contract for a similar system, to start this summer. These projects are implemented in downtown areas. They are intended to create new possibilities for people who do not own or want to own (and maintain) bikes. Most users either live downtown or commute from suburbs by train, tramway, metro or bus and use these bikes for the last leg of their trip. This is all nice, but the big question here is could similar projects be adapted to the North American way of life??? A few notes about the Lyon, France, Velo’V project, as published in the Nouvel Observateur earlier this week:
” How does it work? You buy either a weekly ( $1.30) or yearly ($6.50) pass, pick up a bike at a station, ride, and drop it at another station near your destination (the maximum distance between stations is 1,000 feet). The first half-hour is free. With a yearly pass, the next hour is 0.6.¢. For longer rides, the rate is $1.30 per hour. About 95% of rentals are for less than 30 minutes and therefore free. Rates are higher for weekly passes.
” The project started 18 months ago with 2,000 bicycles available from over 157 stations, it will increase from 3,000 bikes and 250 next summer to 4,000 bikes and 350 stations in 2008.
” Bikes are sometimes used by up to 15 riders on the same day.
” Total mileage ridden in 18 months: 10 millions miles.
” Bicycle use grew by 33% from 2004 to 2005 and by 44% from 2005 to 2006.
” Downtown traffic used to increase by 3 to 5% per year but have stopped growing since the start of the project.
” Similar systems are found in Vienna (Austria), Brussels (Belgium) and Aix-en-Provence, Marseilles and Rennes (France). Paris has recently awarded a contract for a similar system, to start this summer.

These projects are implemented in downtown areas. They are intended to create new possibilities for people who do not own or want to own (and maintain) bikes. Most users either live downtown or commute from suburbs by train, tramway, metro or bus and use these bikes for the last leg of their trip.

This is all nice, but the big question here is could similar projects be adapted to the North American way of life???

]]> By: _Russ_ http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/comment-page-1/#comment-19385 _Russ_ Thu, 01 Feb 2007 17:00:46 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/02/01/bicycle-rental-services/#comment-19385 Why isn't it happening???.. Many reasons. Everyone here drives to work, drives to school, drives around the corner to get a donut. why would they rent a bicycle when they can just get in their car and drive. Americans haven't been forced to used alternative transportation, once that happens then renting a bicycle will be an option. Why isn’t it happening???.. Many reasons. Everyone here drives to work, drives to school, drives around the corner to get a donut. why would they rent a bicycle when they can just get in their car and drive. Americans haven’t been forced to used alternative transportation, once that happens then renting a bicycle will be an option.

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