Bike-sharing demonstration coming to Pittsburgh (Denver, Newport: purchase, legal, store)

[BrianTH]

Here is the article:

Bike sharing demonstration set for Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Business Times

This has taken off in a lot of cities. It is logistically complicated, but the basic idea is to make it possible for people to pick up and drop off bikes at a bunch of stations throughout the relevant area (so you don't have to do round trips). Members get swipe cards they can use, and you can also purchase a 24-hour membership at the stations.

The company coming to do a demonstration is B-cycle, and you can actually vote on their website to express an interest in them coming here:

Bike Sharing | Community & Public Bikes | B-Cycle | bcycle.com

B-cycle is actually a venture of the Trek Bicycle company, and they have introduced their program in several other cities, including a big program in Denver, as well as Chicago, Des Moines, and San Antonio. They'll be setting up in Market Square next Thursday, and will also be doing a private presentation for relevant leaders. Ultimately, as the article explains, this is the sort of thing that has to be integrated into an overall bike and pedestrian plan, and fortunately both the City and the County have developed such plans.

[ML North]

Interesting idea.

I first saw this at the Newport News Shipyard. There are yellow bikes with baskets outside every building. Workers walk out of one building, grab one, ride across the yard, and leave it outside the next building. Same idea, but obviously restricted to a controlled environment.

[ferraris]

The idea of being able to have a bike available to me anywhere in the city is appealing, as is not having to store it. I wonder if they provide helmets at all? Obiously you'd probably want to disinfect them, but having to carry a helmet around means that you had to plan ahead to use a bike, instead of spur of the moment because of nice weather or unexpected spare time or whatever.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

I wonder if they provide helmets at all?

I checked their FAQ, and they do not, citing hygiene and safety issues. I would guess it could be a legal liability issue as well. Which is unfortunate, because you are right that takes a lot of spontaneity out of the idea.