Bike Sharing: Washington D.C.
Thread started by
soso at 04.28.08 - 12:50 pm
"Urban bike sharing ala the kind that’s been implemented in Europe over the last few years is coming to a US city near you! Washington D.C. will be the first city to implement the two-wheeled transportation SmartBike DC program this May, in conjunction with Clear Channel Outdoor and the District Department of Transportation. Other cities, including Chicago and San Francisco, are working toward instituting similar bike sharing programs in the near future.
Bike sharing is a great alternative to cars and overcrowded public transport. Urban dwellers and tourists alike will now be able to enjoy low-cost access to bicycles within the city - no pollution, no congestion, it’s cheap, and you get a little exercise out of it! For those unfamiliar with the concept of bike sharing, one of the major differences between sharing and renting is that sharing operates as a self-service model with automated payment kiosks - no attendants, and it’s geared toward short-term use."
http://blogs.takepart.com/2008/04/17/urban-bike-sharing-coming-to-a-city-near-you/#more-2124
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http://smartbikedc.com/
soso04.28.08 - 12:51 pm
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Clear Channel eh?
This is like what they do in Europe. I'd love to see it in LA, as well as D.C.
Joe Borfo04.28.08 - 1:51 pm
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If this were to come to LA, those bikes would be gone quick! Really. To many opportunistic people would want to get a new bike for cents!
Rogue Rida04.28.08 - 3:09 pm
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aw..... that's too cynical; i'm sure there are ways to implement a system to avoid bike theft...
plus i don't think there are less opportunists elsewhere than los angeles. there are portions of d.c. known to be "seedy" as well.
soso04.28.08 - 3:17 pm
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Portions of DC? All of DC!
I would really like to see how they organize this. I am sure it would be a great additive to the city. I would enjoy seeing a Yellow Bike project be successful in this town. It is a large town. Maybe doing a test run in a small burb like Silverlake or another area with a large bicycle rider population.
Rogue Rida04.28.08 - 3:26 pm
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If it's anything like the bike sharing programs in Europe, trust me, it will require a credit card. Note also that this is being done "in conjunction with" Clear Channel Outdoor, which suggests very strongly that this is not any kind of hippie socialist project.
PC04.28.08 - 3:31 pm
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Yeah. Once I read Clear Channel was working on the project, I envisioned all the bikes pulling huge billboards.
Rogue Rida04.28.08 - 4:05 pm
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When I saw it was Clear Channel that was involved in this, first thought that came to mind was, what's their angle on this? Like P said, these guys are not in the business of making a better society for us all. They didn't command 90% of the outdoor advertising market and the number one radio station ownership cause they wanted to be nice guys.
User104.28.08 - 4:21 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
