[Timpo]

Looks like Bike share is launching in Vancouver in 2015...would you use it?

Public bike share system | City of Vancouver (http://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/public-bike-share-system.aspx)

[Timpo]

How To Use NYC's Bike-Sharing Program (And Not Hurt Yourself) - YouTube
CitiBikes are a Pain in the Ass - YouTube
How to Use Capital Bikeshare - YouTube

[Timpo]

oh shit, looks like BC needs to change the Motor Vehicle Act Victoria watching as Vancouver prepares for bike-share plan - Local - Times Colonist (http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/victoria-watching-as-vancouver-prepares-for-bike-share-plan-1.566692)

I have to agree with this article, bike share will only work if you don't need to wear a helmet.

[Mr.HappySilp]

I am going to pay a hobo $2 for each bike he stole for me.

This is one of the most stupidest thing (next to massive bike lanes) that this mayor have done. It rains in Vancouver 9 months out of a year so these bikes will get wet, rusted and the city have to pay for it. Not to mention hobos will steal it and try to sell it or sell its part for money, people who want to ride already own a bike and those of us that don't own a bike don't really care. Also what about the bike rental place around downtown? If tourist or a local wants to ride around Stanely park we go rent them but now with these city rental bikes I could get one form the city for cheaper basically driving people away from renting the bike a store.

[Anjew]

there needs to be more accountability for people on bikes.

[PeanutButter]

City of Vancouver, are you crazy???
Can you not learn from Montreal or Toronto that this will not work. Both Montreal and Toronto are losing money on this program (BIXI).

PLUS, like another member posted, Vancouverites have to wear a helmet unlike Montreal and Toronto. So how are you going to get around that?

If their populations can't sustain the program, what makes you think Vancouver can?

EDIT: just read this
The PBS system will be privately owned and operated.

So as long as public money doesn't take the hit on this, i'm okay with it. Let the private sector deal with it. I assume the city will take a cut or rent out the space, so the city and us win in the end regardless if this makes money or not. As long as the city isn't putting money up, i'm okay with this program.

[bcedhk]

I think the majority of the users will be tourist, just like how most bike share programs are in Europe.

Most Vancouverites who live in Vancouver will probably have their own bikes or car already.

[7seven]

City of Vancouver, are you crazy???
Can you not learn from Montreal or Toronto that this will not work. Both Montreal and Toronto are losing money on this program (BIXI).

PLUS, like another member posted, Vancouverites have to wear a helmet unlike Montreal and Toronto. So how are you going to get around that?

If their populations can't sustain the program, what makes you think Vancouver can?

EDIT: just read this


So as long as public money doesn't take the hit on this, i'm okay with it. Let the private sector deal with it. I assume the city will take a cut or rent out the space, so the city and us win in the end regardless if this makes money or not. As long as the city isn't putting money up, i'm okay with this program.

A few months ago I read that while it will be privately owned and operated, the City of Vancouver with the urging of Mayor Moonbeam, is paying for the installation costs and acquisition of the bikes and equipment and yearly expansion and maintenance. These figures were approved at $6 million and $500,000 yearly back in January by the city, but I see from their new PDF, they are saying now $1 million and $500,000 annually on pages 35-36 of the PDF http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/public-bike-share-staff-presentation-to-council-07232013.pdf


Such a waste of money, especially the disaster this program has turned out to be so far in other cities. There are already so many private bicycle rental places for tourist that want to rent a bike and those that live here that want to bike likely have their own bike already.

[twitchyzero]

i'd say do it but keep the footprint small so it wont take up more precious DT space
might as well waste more money since the city has already committed to the bike lanes...might as well make better use of it

[NKC ONE]

I loved the bike sharing system in Paris when I was travelling there. Not saying it will work in Van but it truly was a better way to travel and see a lot of things.

[twixxer]

I am okay with it, car2go has been a great venture that appears to be working well. I could see people using this as well. I wish car2go vehicles had bikeracks on them though, that would be even better.

[Timpo]

yeah but like someone else posted, Vancouver rains a lot. So during the rain season, bikes will be sitting there virtually doing nothing but collecting rust and taking up space...and we know Vancouver is already clouded.

and one of the biggest obstacle is helmet. There's no clear explanation how they're gonna get around that...seems like they're pretending not seeing this problem and hoping that this program will work somehow.

[Manic!]

and one of the biggest obstacle is helmet. There's no clear explanation how they're gonna get around that...seems like they're pretending not seeing this problem and hoping that this program will work somehow.

I think they are going to have helmet renting stations.

[Ferra]

A few months ago I read that while it will be privately owned and operated, the City of Vancouver with the urging of Mayor Moonbeam, is paying for the installation costs and acquisition of the bikes and equipment and yearly expansion and maintenance. These figures were approved at $6 million and $500,000 yearly back in January by the city, but I see from their new PDF, they are saying now $1 million and $500,000 annually on pages 35-36 of the PDF http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/public-bike-share-staff-presentation-to-council-07232013.pdf


Such a waste of money, especially the disaster this program has turned out to be so far in other cities. There are already so many private bicycle rental places for tourist that want to rent a bike and those that live here that want to bike likely have their own bike already.
wat..??
let me get this straight...
so the city is paying millions for the bikes and installation cost + $500K/year to to maintain the equipments, but these bikes will be privately owned and operated, meaning all the rental income will go to some private companies while our tax $ pay for all the investment and maintenance...

what a fucking good deal :fuckthatshit:

[Spoon]

Don't forget the likelihood of wiping out all the bike rental places. :whistle:

[Timpo]

I think they are going to have helmet renting stations.

no they won't

lots of people have problems wearing a helmet worn by random hobos and strangers

[Timpo]

Don't forget the likelihood of wiping out all the bike rental places. :whistle:

oh yeah, tons of people are gonna go on EI because of this idea.

+ the city of Vancouver will lose tons of money for maintenance, replacing broken bikes, possible theft and lawsuit, set up fees for stations, etc...I don't know if they're actually projecting this to be lucrative

[Manic!]

no they won't

lots of people have problems wearing a helmet worn by random hobos and strangers

http://wpmedia.news.nationalpost.com/2013/07/helmet-vending.jpg?w=620


Frustrated by B.C. safety laws, Vancouver prepares to roll out helmet vending machines at bike-share stations | National Post (http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/07/25/vancouver-to-launch-helmet-vending-machines-along-with-new-bike-share-system-to-ensure-citys-riders-are-protected/)

[Timpo]

^ the article says it didn't go well in other cities.
also you can't try out helmet before purchase.

BC must change the Motor Vehicle Act if they are serious about this and want to be successful.

The biggest benefit of bike sharing is convenience. People would NOT want to be carrying around bicycle helmet.

[Timpo]

BC needs to change this useless helmet law.
Why do we even have to helmet just for bicycle anyways? It's dumb.
This is exactly why countries and cities don't even require helmet.

Also check this out... Helmet laws: British Columbia (http://www.cyclehelmets.org/1103.html)
"The law resulted in no improvement in % head injuries from a year before legislation (95/96) to a year after (97/98) compared with Canadian provinces that did not introduce a helmet law."

http://citycaucus.com/2012/06/bcs-mandatory-helmet-law-may-be-doing-more-harm-than-good/
http://www.ibiketo.ca/blog/helmets-may-protect-your-head-mandatory-helmet-laws-will-likely-make-cyclists-less-safe\

http://thethunderbird.ca/2010/11/25/helmet-laws-throw-wrench-into-vancouvers-public-bike-share-plan/
“If you’ve got to carry a [helmet] everywhere that’s not going to work.”

[Manic!]

^ the article says it didn't go well in other cities.
also you can't try out helmet before purchase.

BC must change the Motor Vehicle Act if they are serious about this and want to be successful.

The biggest benefit of bike sharing is convenience. People would NOT want to be carrying around bicycle helmet.

People don't also want up being dead or vegetables.

[CharlesInCharge]

This could decrease downtown traffic as more bikers fill these lanes, some might realize that leaving the car at home for short trips is worth it.

[Timpo]

If this program is successful, this is how Vancouver will look near future.

http://himg2.huanqiu.com/attachment2010/2013/0606/20130606053326114.jpg
http://rcdn.roadbikereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Page23.jpg
http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4f58be32ecad044a23000039-1200/a-bicycle-jam-in-shanghai-china-leaves-traffic-at-a-standstill.jpg

[hpratvfrk]

I have to agree with this article, bike share will only work if you don't need to wear a helmet.

Amen, brother. This works like a charm in Europe (was in Europe for April), but I don't see it happening in Vancouver. :failed:

[sdubfid]

http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/california-norcal/779965d1363037761-visors-any-real-purpose-sun-visor-bike.jpg

do they come with cargo space or a rack?

[Manic!]

This could decrease downtown traffic as more bikers fill these lanes, some might realize that leaving the car at home for short trips is not worth it.

I'm sure the big obstacle for people not riding bikes down town is they can't afford a $78 bike from walmart.

[CharlesInCharge]

*I meant to say earlier "leaving the car at home for short trips is worth it."
I think the biggest obstacle is the social "uncool" biker status and second the lack of safety.... but if there were lots of bikers, it would be more acceptable and a feeling of herd security may be given.

[Tone Loc]

*I meant to say earlier "leaving the car at home for short trips is worth it."
I think the biggest obstacle is the social "uncool" biker status and second the lack of safety.... but if there were lots of bikers, it would be more acceptable and a feeling of herd security may be given.

I'm pretty sure the main obstacle to cycling in Vancouver is that it rains for literally 8 months out of the year here. One of the many reasons I take public transit to my job in DT rather than cycle, even though I am a 15-20 minute drive away.

Say all you want about "social perception" or cost, but let's face it... the majority of people who have to look put together for work are not likely to choose a commute method that will get them very wet and very dirty very fast, or alternatively, force them to change their entire outfit (for girls, makeup too, guys.. hair stuff?) when they get to work when they could take transit and avoid all of that BS instead.