New York Bike-Share Program Bans ‘Fat’ People

Opposing Views ^ | 05/02/2013 | Lauren Schiff

[Responsibility2nd]

A new bike-share program in New York looks like a promising way to fix some of the city's biggest problems, like traffic congestion, air pollution, and obesity.

Or rather, let us rephrase: It will help to relieve issues of obesity, but only for the portion of the population weighing less than 260 pounds.

“Everyone who signs up for the program has to agree to a contract, which states users ‘must not exceed maximum weight limit (260 pounds)’ because the bikes can’t hold that much heft,” explains the New York Post.

But citizens aren’t buying it. Jhoskaira Ferman, a 20-year-old student from Pelham Bay, Bronx, says that “If you’re 260 pounds or 300 pounds and want to ride a bike, you should be allowed to. You’re making a choice to live healthier and to lose weight.”

19-year-old Juleissy Lantigua agrees: “That’s bogus,” she says. “260 pounds isn’t going to break the bike. To me, that’s discrimination. And I’m not easily offended!”

Although the anti-fat rule has some people outraged, the New York Post’s coverage clarifies that “bike-share programs run by the same contractor — the Portland, Ore.-based Alta Bicycle Share — launched in Boston with the same weight restriction. London’s program also has the restriction.” It’s a battle of morality against practicality. 

MailOnline.com says that New York Department of Transportation Policy Director Jon Orcutt has explained that despite the weight recommendation from the bike manufacturer, the city will not strictly enforce the limit, claiming that he thinks riders “will be self-selecting, practical and safe.”

The program apparently will cost users $95 per year, or $25 per week to hop onboard, albeit for those who pass the weight limitations.

[Responsibility2nd]

[andyk]

I’m sure they only use tax money from those 260 lbs or less.

[JRandomFreeper]

I bought a nice bike for doing PT and some local errands for $85US. It's mine. I own it. I'm not renting it.

Those people are crazy.

/johnny

[Izzy Dunne]

“260 pounds isn’t going to break the bike."

Do you think the city wants to do that?

Or do you think the lawyers lining up around the corner have something to do with it?

[cripplecreek]

[a fool in paradise]

[Don Corleone]

The program apparently will cost users $95 per year, or $25 per week to hop onboard, albeit for those who pass the weight limitations.

Can you pay with food stamps?

[BenLurkin]

http://www.moviesoundclips.net/download.php?id=578&ft=mp3

[cripplecreek]

I'm dead serious when I say I would rather live in Detroit than any number of other American cities.

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.

-CS Lewis.

Detroit may be the wild west of urban America but taming the frontier is what built America.

[musicman]

[varyouga]

I once borrowed a bike rated for 230 lbs and weighed 280 at the time. That didn’t work out too well

Fatties can lose weight or ride bikes rated for them

[NotYourAverageDhimmi]

“Everyone who signs up for the program has to agree to a contract, which states users ‘must not exceed maximum weight limit (260 pounds)’ because the bikes can’t hold that much heft”

I see a DOJ lawsuit coming. That 260 lb. maximum will have a disparate impact on black women.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

“If you’re 260 pounds or 300 pounds and want to ride a bike, you should be allowed to....Maybe not said the bicycle seat!!!

[SIDENET]

[freedumb2003]

That 260 lb. maximum will have a disparate impact on black women.

[Responsibility2nd]

Hey. If the airline industry can sell a seat designed for a 100 pound person to a 300 or 400 pounder - then why can’t NYC let these people rent a bike?

[discostu]

Big people need big stuff. A rather large friend of mine had to get a gym quality treadmill because the regular in home treadmills aren’t rated for his weight. The difference between him and these people is he’s not riding the longest river in Africa, so he buys accordingly.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

[Jewbacca]

John Edwards Approved!

[RedStateGuyTrappedinCT]

Mooch looks like she’s hiding the hotel pillow under that smock.