[sphinx]

Bikeshare programs seem to be working very well and growing rapidly around the country. I don't know why Seattle would be an exception, but from the story it sounds as if the city wasn't really committed to it and failed to do the things needed to create a viable system.

Here in DC and in several of the close-in suburban jurisdictions, the system is very well used, at least in the neighborhoods with which I'm familiar. I've never seen a detailed analysis of the ridership, but two key groups are commuters, who use bikeshare to get from a convenient neighborhood location to a metrorail stop, and high school students, who also integrate bikeshare with metro. To make this work, or course, you need a bikeshare station at every metrorail stop. This has been done. You also need a sufficient density of bike stations in high density residential and downtown areas to make the system reliable and convenient enough for people to buy in. But once a jurisdiction is over that critical mass issue, the system is great.

The story also says Seattle has a mandatory helmet law and very few bike lanes. That sounds like two good ways to self-sabotage a system.

I got a membership for my older daughter when she started high school. She carpooled in the morning but the kids were all coming home at different times due to various school activities, so they took the bus and/or metrorail. A properly designed bikeshare system is a terrific complement to those systems. It's a good way to get around downtown as well. There is no charge for rides under 30 minutes, and if your destination is relatively close, bikeshare is much easier than driving and often faster than hailing a cab.

I'm surprised that a crunchy granola place like Seattle wasn't able or willing to figure it out. They are common enough around the country that the formula really isn't a mystery anymore.

[sphinx]

P.S. Regarding critical mass: the DC system currently has 3,700 bikes and 440 stations. The story says Seattle had 54 stations and 500 bikes, which is probably too small to make a viable system. I imagine the idea was to grow it over time, but they didn’t give it the time, as they’re killing it after only three years. It sounds to me like it was started with good intentions but without the political will to really see it through.

[vooch]

did you get any grief from other parents about your daughter riding a bicycle from school ?

[Blue Jays]

I like your posting styles. Calm, courteous, and discussing advantages/disadvantages of a bicycle program.
So many folks immediately flip-out when discussing bicycles because it does not fit *their* specific transportation situation at that very moment.
To the commuter sitting in the car or bus, more folks on bicycles only decreases the road traffic they must endure. Good posts.